Trump Administration Launches Second Investigation into Denver Public Schools Over Teacher Allegations The U.S. Department of Education announced Tuesday that it is investigating Denver Public Schools (DPS) for the second time in less than two years after a French teacher was accused of making female students kiss each other during class. The probe centers on whether the incident, which occurred at Northeast Early College, violated federal laws protecting parental rights and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. DPS, the state’s largest K-12 system, fired the teacher, Jennifer Honka, earlier this year following student allegations that she compelled them to participate in skits involving sexualized conduct and shared what a judge described as “sensitive and potentially traumatizing information” in class. A judge ruled in April that DPS had sufficient evidence to terminate Honka’s employment for cause. DPS district spokesman Scott Pribble stated the district received notice of the investigation on Tuesday and declined to comment on the allegations, emphasizing the district’s commitment to student safety and well-being. He noted that after learning of student concerns in March 2025, DPS placed Honka on administrative leave and conducted a thorough investigation. The Education Department’s Student Privacy Policy Office is examining whether the incident violated the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment, which allows parents to opt out of surveys asking students about sensitive family information. Meanwhile, the Office of Civil Rights is assessing whether the case breaches Title IX, which prohibits gender-based discrimination in education.#trump_administration #denver_public_schools #jennifer_honka #scott_pribble #kimberly_richey
