Federal probe focuses on parental consent, classroom activities, and LGBTQ Pride Month exhibit
The U.S. Department of Education announced Tuesday that it has opened investigations into Denver Public Schools in Colorado and Bethel School District in Washington state over allegations involving student rights and parental consent.
According to the department, the investigations will determine whether the two school districts violated a federal law that gives parents the right to opt their children out of certain school evaluations and activities related to sexual behavior, attitudes, or other sensitive topics.
One investigation centers on allegations that a high school teacher in the Denver school district required students of the same sex to kiss in front of their classmates during a classroom activity. The department is examining whether the incident violated students’ rights under federal education and privacy laws.
The second investigation involves the Bethel School District, located about an hour south of Seattle, Washington, where officials are reviewing complaints regarding an LGBTQ Pride Month exhibit that allegedly displayed vials of testosterone as part of the presentation.
Frank Miller, Director of the Student Privacy Policy Office at the U.S. Department of Education, emphasized the importance of parental involvement in decisions affecting students.
“Parents must be the decision-makers in matters impacting the most intimate parts of their children’s lives,” Miller said in an official statement.
A spokesperson for Denver Public Schools, Scott Pribble, said the district placed the teacher on administrative leave after students raised concerns in March 2025. Following an internal investigation, the Denver Board of Education voted to terminate the teacher’s employment in May.
Pribble said the district’s response reflected its commitment to protecting students.
“The safety, emotional well-being, and dignity of our students are the absolute highest priorities of DPS. Our actions to date have been wholly consistent with those priorities,” the statement said.
The U.S. Department of Education has not announced a timeline for completing either investigation. The findings could determine whether the districts complied with federal parental rights and student privacy requirements, potentially leading to further administrative action if violations are found.
The investigations come as parental rights, student privacy, and school policies involving gender identity, sexual education, and LGBTQ-related programs continue to generate debate across the United States. Federal officials say the reviews are intended to ensure that schools comply with existing laws while safeguarding the rights of both students and parents.
