The Education Department announced Monday that it has formally rescinded the Biden administration's interpretation of Title IX that extended sex-discrimination protections to students based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
Schools will instead return to Title IX regulations adopted during President Donald Trump's first administration in 2020, a move the department says will protect women's sports and provide greater clarity for schools and families.
"Thanks to today's action, the published Title IX regulations faithfully reflect court orders and Congressional intent - reducing confusion for parents, students, and educational institutions," Education Secretary Linda McMahon said.
"We will continue to relentlessly champion equal opportunity for all Americans and hold accountable any school or college that violates the rights, privacy, or athletic opportunities of our women and girls," she added.
The Biden-era rule had already been struck down in federal court following legal challenges brought by Republican-led states.
Since Trump returned to office, his administration has pursued policies defining sex under Title IX in biological terms and has pressed schools to change policies allowing transgender athletes to participate in women's sports. The University of Pennsylvania, for example, reached a deal with the administration to remove transgender athletes from its women's athletic programs.
Critics claim the administration's approach will harm transgender students and could weaken protections for victims of sexual violence.
Shiwali Patel, senior director of education justice at the National Women's Law Center, accused the administration of "weaponizing Title IX to attack trans students."
"Sexual harassment and assault continue to be pervasive in schools and, to the fullest extent possible, we should be working to enforce the laws that protect student survivors of sexual violence," Patel said.