Secretary of Education Linda McMahon stated on August 24, 2026, that the federal government is dedicated to addressing sexual misconduct involving teachers and staff in schools nationwide. During an interview on CNN's "State of the Union," McMahon criticized school districts for reassigning teachers accused of misconduct instead of terminating their employment. She referenced a 2004 Education Department literature review indicating that approximately 10% of eighth- through 11th-grade students reported experiencing sexual misconduct by an educator, noting that this definition encompasses various forms of inappropriate conduct.
McMahon highlighted that California officials did not revoke the licenses of at least 67 educators who were found to have committed sexual misconduct against students between 2019 and 2025. Reports indicate that some of these educators were subsequently hired by other school districts. Additionally, the Department of Education has opened a Title IX investigation into the Los Angeles Unified School District regarding its handling of misconduct allegations.
McMahon emphasized the importance of protecting children in schools and stated that institutions receiving federal funding must adhere to laws regarding the reporting and handling of sexual misconduct. She warned that schools failing to comply with federal requirements risk enforcement actions, including the potential loss of federal assistance. McMahon reiterated the commitment of the Department of Education to fully enforce federal law to safeguard students from sexual predators.