The Trump administration is cracking down on teacher sexual misconduct, threatening to pull federal funding from non-compliant schools. The move, led by Education Secretary Linda McMahon, follows a report that California failed to revoke credentials for at least 67 teachers accused of misconduct. The Department of Education is now investigating 20 districts, though critics call the action a political move to weaken unions.
Trump administration crackdown
- ▪The Department of Education is investigating 20 school districts over their data collection and handling of staff sexual harassment allegations
- ▪The crackdown was prompted by a KQED-ProPublica investigation into California’s teacher disciplinary system
- ▪The Trump administration has launched a national crackdown on how school districts handle sexual misconduct accusations against teachers
- ▪Linda McMahon cited a “troubling and recurring pattern” of credible reports of sexual abuse by school employees going uninvestigated
- ▪Education Secretary Linda McMahon threatened to withhold federal funding from public schools that fail to protect children from teacher sexual misconduct
California teacher disciplinary system
- ▪California's Commission on Teacher Credentialing states that state law prevents it from formally reviewing allegations without an affidavit from alleged victims
- ▪At least 14 of the 67 educators who kept their credentials after misconduct findings were subsequently rehired by other schools
- ▪A KQED-ProPublica investigation found California's licensing agency did not revoke credentials for at least 67 educators whom districts determined had committed sexual misconduct
- ▪California's disciplinary process for teachers is hidden from public view, unlike the systems for many other professions in the state like doctors and lawyers
Transparency gaps in oversight
- ▪California's public database for credentialed educators notes disciplinary action with a red flag icon but does not explain the reason
- ▪California law prohibits the state's teacher licensing agency from publicly sharing the reasons for disciplinary actions
- ▪At least 12 other states, including Oregon, Washington, and Florida, make the reasons for teacher disciplinary actions publicly available
- ▪A new California law creating a misconduct database for school support staff, such as bus drivers and custodians, does not apply to public school teachers
Enforcement failures by districts
- ▪No state agency in California enforces the law requiring districts to check with previous employers about a candidate's misconduct history
- ▪The Trump administration is investigating the Los Angeles Unified School District over an agreement to reassign, rather than remove, teachers accused of sexual misconduct during investigations
Political criticism of guidance
- ▪Critics described the Trump administration's guidance as political grandstanding and a "wedge issue" intended to weaken teacher union power
- ▪In her guidance letter, Education Secretary Linda McMahon singled out teachers unions as obstructions to legislative reforms to protect children
- ▪The California Teachers Association accused the Trump administration of "weaponizing and distorting an issue for political purposes."
Gubernatorial candidate responses
- ▪A spokesperson for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Xavier Becerra said Becerra would ensure the state "keeps educators who harm students out of the classroom."
- ▪Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton pledged to "end the loopholes that let dangerous teachers move from one school district to another."
Story comments
Loading comments…