The Trump administration has initiated a nationwide crackdown on how school districts address accusations of sexual misconduct by teachers, prompted by a KQED-ProPublica investigation into California’s teacher disciplinary system.

In guidance issued last week, Secretary of Education Linda McMahon referenced reporting that California’s teacher licensing agency failed to revoke the credentials of at least 67 educators found by school districts to have sexually harassed students or committed other sexual misconduct. At least 14 of these educators were subsequently rehired by other schools.

McMahon cited previous Government Accountability Office reports and other studies, noting the Department of Education has observed a “troubling and recurring pattern” of credible reports of sexual abuse and harassment by school employees going uninvestigated. In an open letter to state school chiefs, she criticized administrators and state regulators for preferring to "sweep these incidents under the rug" and "pass[ing] the trash" to other schools, referring to teachers who continue working elsewhere after findings of misconduct.

The Trump administration's list, based on 2023-24 civil rights data, includes school districts in states such as Georgia, Michigan, Arizona, Connecticut, Kentucky, New Hampshire, Missouri, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Washington.

However, state law limits formal review of sexual misconduct allegations unless accompanied by affidavits from alleged victims, according to Fitzhugh, who stated the commission is prepared to implement additional protections if authorized by the legislature.

Criticism of the crackdown has emerged. Heidi Goldstein, personnel commissioner of the Berkeley Unified School District and advisory board member of Stop Sexual Assault in Schools, described the letter as silent on key protections and viewed it as a "wedge issue" potentially aimed at weakening union power.

Maggie Sisco, spokesperson for the California Teachers Association, accused the Trump administration of "weaponizing and distorting an issue for political purposes" while dismantling Department of Education offices meant to protect student safety and civil rights.

Jonathan Underland, spokesperson for Xavier Becerra—the former U.S. health and human services secretary, former California attorney general, and Democratic gubernatorial candidate—pledged that Becerra "will make sure this state has a system that acts swiftly and keeps educators who harm students out of the classroom."

Sources