>> of this body has not opined or added to it. >> whitaker versus kenosha stands. those are current interpretations of the law and i want to make sure your department -- . >> there are other opinions that conflict with that. until the supreme court opines her until this body takes action i'm not going to make a law for the department of education. >> those laws are enforced. with regard to special education we know that students with special needs face higher discipline. the federal government has never managed to find i.d. eight. i want to know if your plans to include students with disabilities. >> i'm very much committed to upholding the provisions of the i.d.e.a. and to continue to be focused on the fact that we need to ensure that all students with disabilities have the opportunity to pursue their education. >> will you work with congress to fully fund the i.d.e.a.? >> i will work with congress to be focused on the needs of those students. >> i yield back the balance of my time. >> thank you mr. foley. mr. byrne. >> secretary devos thank you for being here tod

not devos: this body has opined -- >> whitaker versus kenosha stands, brody stands. case stance.her sec. devos: there are other opinions that conflict. until the court opines or this body takes action, i will not make up laws for the department of education. >> again, those laws are currently in force. the federal government has never met its commitment to fully fund idea. i would like to know your plan. sec. devos: i am committed to upholding the provisions of i.d. e.a. we need to be focused on making sure all students have opportunity. >> will you work with congress d.e.a.ly fund i. sec. devos: i will work with congress. >> thank you for being here. thank you for coming to mobile last august. you will remember going with me to the excel academy. those were high school students, some had already dropped out. some were in danger of dropping out. they were doing innovative things to reach out to students who would otherwise be left behind. we had some conversations with those students. i was touched by your concern for them. what is the department doing to try to addr

last year to use represented ash whitaker to challenge the kenosha wisconsin school district who denied them access to the boys restroom in high school because he was transgender. we fought and won. ash is a freshman in college and living his authentic life. last month in anchorage, alaska, transgender people work with allies to defeat an anti-trans bathroom measure despite high levels of opposition. recently national -- advocates across the country called for the continued support for transgender rights and church steps advocates can take locally to ensure transgender people have access to services and are respected when seeking services. in our nation's capital ruby, a transgender latina woman provides housing and services to transient people 365 days a year. in montana -- >> time is up. thank you very much. >> good afternoon. my name is kristen clarke. he on behalf of the lawyers' committee for civil rights under law which is one of the nation oldest racial justice organizations. founded in 1963 at the at the request of president john f. kennedy our principal mission is to secure equ

another issue have you heard of whitaker versus kenosha school district? >> i am not familiar. it is big. >>. is a seventh circuit ruled there was sex basis commission and therefore illegal when a student -- when a school does not allow a transgender student use the bathroom of their chosen gender. -- this has been the law of the land. their president in the basic civil rights statute congress has entrusted the department of education with perfection of all students civil rights in the educational setting. wanted to ask what are your plans to address lgbtq discrimination and harassment in the schools? >> thank you for your question. we are protected civil rights and are continuing to do so. i think part of what you have referred to is with regard to transgender students, the courts have been mixed on that and this body has not updated or -- >> those are two precedents that stand. extend his current interpretation as us civil rights laws.wanted to know how you are having them adhere to the will and are practically protecting transgender students? >> as i said, we are committed t