State Superintendent Tony Thurmond Issues Statement in Response to DOJ Letter to California LEAs on CIF Policy

SACRAMENTO— State Superintendent Tony Thurmond issued a statement today in response to a letter, dated June 2, 2025, from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to California local educational agencies (LEAs) claiming that LEAs are exposed to “legal liability” if they comply with a California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) policy that requires students have the opportunity to participate in CIF activities that are consistent with their gender identity:

“Let’s be clear: sending a letter does not change the law. The DOJ’s letter to school districts does not announce any new federal law, and state law on this issue has remained unchanged since 2013. California state law protects all students’ access to participate in athletics in a manner that is consistent with their gender identity. We will continue to follow the law and ensure the safety of all of our athletes.”

A copy of the response from Superintendent Thurmond sent today to California county and district superintendents as well as charter school administrators in reaction to the DOJ’s letter can be found on the CDE Responses to 2025 Federal Actions web page.

# # # #

Tony Thurmond — State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Communications Division, Room 5602, 916-319-0818, Fax 916-319-0100