CIF Directed Investigation Letter Final
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Breitbart NewsCIF Directed Investigation Letter Final
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Breitbart NewsUNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
OFFICE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS
February 12, 2025
Ron Nocetti, Executive Director
California Interscholastic Federation
sent via E-mail
OCR Case Number 09258901
Dear Mr. Nocetti:
The United States Department of Education’s (Department) Office for Civil Rights
(OCR) writes to inform you that it is initiating a directed investigation of the
California Interscholastic Federation (CIF). Under President Trump’s February 5,
2025, Executive Order, Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports, “it is the policy of the
United States to rescind all funds from educational programs that deprive women
and girls of fair athletic opportunities,” and to take “all appropriate action to
affirmatively protect all-female athletic opportunities and all-female locker rooms
and thereby provide the equal opportunity guaranteed by Title IX of the Education
Amendments Act of 1972.” This directed investigation is in furtherance of President
Trump’s policy directive and OCR’s mandate to enforce federal civil rights laws.
Pursuant to its regulatory authority set forth in 34 C.F.R. § 106.81, OCR will initiate
an investigation whenever a report, complaint, or other information indicates a
possible failure to comply with the laws and regulations that OCR enforces. In a
public statement released after President Trump signed his Women’s Sport
Executive Order, CIF announced its intention to violate federal antidiscrimination
laws and, instead, operate only under California state law as it relates to girls’ and
women’s sports. California state law, however, does not preempt or otherwise nullify
federal antidiscrimination laws, and the California Interscholastic Federation and
its member schools remain subject to Title IX and its implementing regulations.
OCR enforces Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, 20 U.S.C. § 1681, and
its implementing regulation, 34 C.F.R. Part 106, which prohibit discrimination on
the basis of sex in any education program or activity operated by a recipient of
Federal financial assistance.
400 MARYLAND AVE. SW, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20202-1100
www.ed.gov
Mr. Ron Nocetti
February 12, 2025
Page 2
OCR’s directed investigation will examine whether CIF denies equal athletic benefits
and opportunities to female athletes through an athletic participation policy that
permits biological males to participate in girls’ interscholastic athletics. OCR’s
initiation of a directed investigation is not itself evidence of a violation of federal civil
rights laws and regulations.
OCR’s San Francisco regional office will conduct this directed investigation. OCR
will contact CIF officials within a week of the date of this letter to arrange for the
next steps in the investigation, including requesting access to data and personnel.
Sincerely,
/s/
Craig Trainor
Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
United States Department of Education
400 MARYLAND AVE. SW, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20202-1100
www.ed.gov
