Education Department Ends Tracking of Bullying and Harassment of Trans Kids

August 5, 2026 - 01:44

The U.S. Department of Education has quietly ended its collection of data on bullying and harassment incidents involving transgender students, a move that also narrows the official definition of rape. Under the new policy, the federal government will no longer track such incidents based on "gender identity," a category previously included in civil rights data reporting.

The change comes as part of a broader revision to the department's data collection guidelines. Officials say the update aligns with current legal interpretations, but advocates for LGBTQ students call it a dangerous step backward. They argue that without federal tracking, schools will have less incentive to address targeted violence against trans youth, and the true scope of the problem will remain hidden.

In addition to the bullying data, the department revised its definition of rape for reporting purposes. The new wording removes "gender identity" from the list of protected statuses used to categorize sexual assault. Critics say this could lead to undercounting of assaults against transgender individuals, as incidents may no longer fit the federal reporting criteria.

Supporters of the change claim it simplifies reporting and reduces administrative burdens on schools. But civil rights groups warn that the move signals a retreat from protections that have been in place for years. Several state education agencies have already said they will continue collecting their own data, but without federal oversight, national statistics on this issue will now have significant gaps. The department has not announced any plans to replace the removed categories with alternative measures.