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The U.S. Department of Education announced an investigation Tuesday into two school districts accused of violating parental notification rights under federal law. The Bethel School District near Seattle and Denver Public Schools face scrutiny over separate incidents involving Pride month displays and classroom activities, according to department officials.
Bethel School District acknowledged that testosterone vials appeared in a June exhibit at Graham-Kapowsin High School without administrative authorization. The district stated the vials, which contained an unknown liquid of undetermined composition, were promptly removed and transferred to the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office. Officials said the district will cooperate fully with the federal investigation.
In Denver, the investigation centers on allegations that a high school instructor required same-sex students to kiss one another during class instruction. Denver Public Schools spokesman Scott Pribble said the district was preparing a formal response to the federal inquiry.
Frank Miller, director of the Student Privacy Policy Office at the Education Department, stated that parents must retain decision-making authority over sensitive matters affecting their children. The investigation focuses on whether either district violated federal law protecting parental opt-out rights regarding discussions of sexual behavior and attitudes.
The Trump administration has launched dozens of similar probes targeting schools with transgender accommodations and LGBTQ+ support policies. Previous actions have challenged bathroom access policies and alleged failures to disclose student gender identity information to parents, which officials characterize as privacy law violations.
The Education Department tied the announcements to National Parents’ Day and pledged to unveil additional enforcement actions this week. Both districts are located in Democratic-led states.
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