Education Department opens probe into Smith College for admitting trans women

"The U.S. Department of Education opened an investigation Monday into Smith College, an all-women's institution in Massachusetts, for admitting transgender women. The probe will look at whether the college violated Title IX, a 1972 law forbidding discrimination based on sex in education."

"Smith College, a private liberal arts school founded in 1871, has admitted trans women since 2015, along with many other elite women's colleges. Advocates have supported the shift over the years, saying that women's colleges were founded to educate those marginalized because of their gender."

"According to the Department of Education, Title IX contains an exception that allows colleges to be all-male or all-female, but it only applies 'on the basis of biological sex difference, not subjective gender identity.'"

The U.S. Department of Education has initiated an investigation into Smith College for its admission of transgender women, questioning compliance with Title IX. This investigation aligns with the Trump administration's broader efforts to restrict transgender rights. Smith College has admitted trans women since 2015, reflecting a shift in policy supported by advocates. The number of women's colleges has significantly decreased, with only 30 remaining as of fall 2023. Title IX allows for single-sex colleges but specifies that this is based on biological sex, not gender identity.

Read at Boston.com