Department of Education Warns Schools on Sexual Misconduct, Announces 20 Investigations

The U.S. Department of Education issued a 'Dear Colleague Letter' on July 10, 2026, cautioning schools about the risk of losing federal funds if they fail to adequately address sexual misconduct by employees. Concurrently, the Department's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) announced it would open 20 directed investigations into school districts suspected of mishandling allegations of staff sexual misconduct, signaling an elevated focus on this issue.