U.S. Department of Education probes Colorado and Washington school districts

U.S. Department of Education Denver Public Schools Bethel School District testosterone vials same‑sex kissing exercise

The U.S. Department of Education announced investigations into Denver Public Schools in Colorado and the Bethel School District in Washington state. The probes examine two separate incidents: a Denver high‑school teacher allegedly required same‑sex students to kiss in front of the class, and a Pride Month exhibit at Graham‑Kapowsin High School that displayed vials of testosterone. Both districts said the items were unauthorized; Bethel removed the vials and handed them to the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office, while Denver placed the teacher on administrative leave and later terminated his employment. The Department, citing federal parental‑rights law, says parents may opt out of school surveys on topics such as sexual behavior or attitudes. Director Frank Miller of the Student Privacy Policy Office emphasized that “parents must be the decision‑makers in matters impacting the most intimate parts of their children’s lives.” The investigations were announced on National Parents’ Day.

Entities: Bethel School District · Denver Public Schools · Frank Miller · Scott Pribble · U.S. Department of Education

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

[● 6 SOURCES] Denver Public Schools placed the teacher on administrative leave and later terminated his employment. (Denver Public Schools statements and investigation reports)
[● 7 SOURCES] The investigations concern a Pride Month exhibit at Graham‑Kapowsin High School that displayed vials of testosterone. (Department of Education investigation details)
[● 7 SOURCES] The investigations concern a Denver high‑school teacher who required same‑sex students to kiss in front of the class. (Department of Education investigation details)
[● 7 SOURCES] The Department says parents have the right to opt out of school evaluations on topics such as sexual behavior or attitudes. (Department of Education statements)
[● 7 SOURCES] Bethel School District said the testosterone vials were unauthorized, removed them, and turned them over to the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office. (Bethel School District statement)
[● 5 SOURCES] The investigations were announced on National Parents’ Day. (Department of Education announcement)
[● 7 SOURCES] Frank Miller is the director of the Student Privacy Policy Office at the Education Department. (Department of Education statements)
[● 7 SOURCES] The U.S. Department of Education announced investigations into Denver Public Schools and Bethel School District. (U.S. Department of Education statements)