Why is the DOJ investigating Michigan schools?

Feb.23,2026,7:02a.m.ET TheDOJisinvestigatingthreeMichiganschooldistricts. ItwantstoknowifthedistrictsallowedparentstoopttheirstudentsoutofclassinstructiononLGBTQ+issues. Italsowantstodeterminewhetherthedistrictsallowtransgenderstudentstousebathroomsthatcorrespondwiththeirgenderidentity. TheU.S.DepartmentofJusticehasannounceditisinvestigatingthreeMichiganschooldistrictssurroundingtheirLGBTQ+curriculumandpoliciesregardingtransgenderstudents. Here’swhatweknowabouttheinvestigationsandhoweducationleadersandschooldistrictsareresponding. WhyistheDOJinvestigatingMichiganschools? OnFeb.18theDOJsentletterstothreeMichiganschooldistrictsannouncingithadlaunchedinvestigationsfocusingonwhetherthedistrictshaveincluded“sexualorientationorgenderideologycontent”inanyclassroominstructionandifparentswerenotifiedoftheirrightstoopttheirchildrenoutofsuchinstruction.Itwillalsodetermineiftransgenderstudentsareallowedtousebathroomsandlockerroomsthatalignwi