Biden Administration to roll back Trump's efforts to collect data on teacher-student sex crimes

The Biden administration is proposing a reversal of a Trump administration policy aimed at collecting data on teacher-perpetrated sexual assaults, Fox News reported.  

Under the Department of Education’s recent proposal, data collection would still include the number of documented incidents at schools, but would no longer require schools to report on "rape or attempted rape, or sexual assault" allegations that were followed by "a resignation or retirement prior to final discipline or termination." 

An Education Department spokesperson defended the move claiming it served as a way to "reduce burden and duplication of data."

"The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) strives to ensure the Civil Rights Data Collection (CRDC) data are an accurate and comprehensive depiction of student access to educational opportunities in school districts," the spokesperson told Fox News.

"For the 2021-22 CRDC, OCR will continue to collect data on the number of documented incidents of offenses committed by school staff, including rape or attempted rape, and sexual assault. These are data the CRDC has collected since 2015-16. We propose retiring data on the number of allegations made against school staff to reduce burden and duplication of data. This is a proposal and OCR welcomes feedback on this proposal from the public during the 60-day comment period"

But supporters of the Trump-era policy have attacked the Biden administration for changing the rules in order to appease teachers unions.

According to Kimberly Richey, former acting assistant secretary in the OCR under the Trump Administration, it was the “ultimate act of bowing to the teachers unions,” The Washington Free Beacon reported.

"Through this proposal, the Biden administration is actively helping schools cover up these incidents, which we were intentionally shining a light on," she said. 

But the Department of Education has more changes in mind and has proposed retiring several reporting policies, including the following statements:

• "Whether any of the school’s students, faculty, or staff died as a result of a homicide committed at the school";
• "Whether there has been at least one incident at the school that involved a shooting";
• "Number of allegations made against a school staff member of rape or attempted rape, or sexual assault that occurred at the school, which were followed by a determination that the school staff member was responsible or not responsible for the offense";
• "Number of allegations made against a school staff member of rape or attempted rape, or sexual assault that occurred at the school, which had a determination that remained pending";
• "Number of allegations made against a school staff member of rape or attempted rape, or sexual assault that occurred at the school, which were followed by a duty reassignment prior to final discipline or termination."

Instead, the department will urge schools to report on data related to COVID-19 and students with disabilities who receive special education. Schools will also be required to have a "non-binary option to male/female data categories for those schools and districts that already collect that data."

Tensions remain high across the country as parents continue to urge schools to move away from focusing on sexuality, gender and race in education.

Many of these issues are believed to have contributed to Republican victories in key states such as Virginia, where Governor-elect Glenn Youngkin ran on a platform that promised parents increased say in what is taught in Virginia schools.