The Education Law Center-PA is deeply disappointed in the U. S. Supreme Court’s decision in West Virginia v. B.P.J. and Little v. Hecox, and the continuing pattern of targeting and excluding trans young people from equal opportunities in our schools. The Court held that Title IX and the Equal Protection Clause do not prohibit states from enacting bans on trans girls participating in sports aligned with their gender identity. Importantly, however, the decision does not require such bans or prohibit inclusive policies that rightly ensure trans students’ access to sports. Pennsylvania does not have a state law banning trans students from playing sports and ELC-PA urges schools to continue their commitment to inclusive policies that allow all kids to play.

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In a news release on June 17, 2026, Education Law Center – PA denounces the the federal administration’s unlawful transfer of the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) and the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services out of the U.S. Department of Education. Until this action can be reversed by the courts, ELC-PA urges Pennsylvania’s Department of Education to engage in more rigorous oversight by strengthening its monitoring, enforcement, and support for students, families, and schools. Further, the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission must step up by vigorously enforcing our state’s antidiscrimination laws in schools by actively investigating and expeditiously resolving the growing number of complaints filed with their agency.