The U.S. Department of Education has launched an investigation into the New York City Department of Education’s handling of sexual misconduct allegations involving school employees and students. Announced on Tuesday, the inquiry is part of a broader federal review of sexual abuse claims in eight states, with the New York City school system receiving particular scrutiny due to what federal officials described as a “systemic and disturbing pattern of enabling abuse.”
Kimberly Richey, assistant secretary for civil rights at the Education Department, highlighted the scope of the problem during an appearance on WABC’s "Cats and Cosby" radio show, stating that nearly 2,000 cases of sexual abuse by school employees have occurred in the city’s schools. However, this figure appears to be based on a misinterpretation of data from a report covering nearly 2,000 lawsuits alleging abuse across New York State, including private and parochial institutions, rather than solely within the city’s public schools.
Nicole Brownstein, a spokeswoman for the New York City Department of Education, emphasized the district’s commitment to addressing such allegations. She stated that the school system takes all reports seriously, promptly supports affected students, refers cases to the appropriate authorities, and pursues disciplinary measures when warranted.
The federal investigation will assess whether the New York City schools are complying with Title IX requirements, which prohibit sex discrimination in educational programs receiving federal funding. With a student body of approximately 884,000 and about 75,000 employees, the school system receives around $2.3 billion or 5 percent of its budget from federal sources. The probe could result in penalties, including withholding of these funds.
The city’s handling of sexual misconduct allegations is under further scrutiny because of longstanding concerns about the practice known as “passing the trash,” where educators facing accusations resign or are reassigned without official documentation, allowing them to seek employment elsewhere without consequences. The Office of the Special Commissioner of Investigation (SCI), an independent agency, handles investigations into misconduct, including sexual abuse, within New York City public schools.
Between 2020 and 2025, SCI reviewed roughly 900 cases of alleged sexual misconduct by school employees and substantiated nearly 300. Many substantiated cases lead investigators to recommend termination and often involve referrals to prosecutors for criminal charges. Nevertheless, some employees accused of wrongdoing have resigned before investigations concluded or were reassigned rather than terminated despite SCI recommendations.
This inquiry is part of wider tensions between the Trump administration and the New York City school system. Earlier this year, the federal government opened a separate civil rights investigation over teachings by the group N.Y.C. Educators for Palestine, which the school system says is unaffiliated with it. The prior year, more than $35 million in federal grants to the city’s magnet schools were withheld, an action later ruled improper by a federal judge.
Similar investigations announced on Tuesday will examine possible Title IX violations in school districts in California, Colorado, Georgia, Missouri, North Carolina, Texas, and Virginia.