The U.S. Department of Education launched a new initiative aimed at ensuring districts promptly respond to allegations of teacher sexual misconduct and do not allow accused educators to move between roles or districts without discipline. The department framed the practice as “passing the trash,” warning that reassignments can enable further harm. The guidance includes legal obligations under federal education law, including Title IX and the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. It also references prior investigations and reporting that found cases where misconduct did not lead to license revocations. The department’s initiative includes an assessment of how 20 school districts in 15 states handle allegations of abuse and harassment, signaling a broader compliance posture for investigations, discipline, and credential oversight. While this is K–12, the policy shift matters to colleges of education and teacher preparation programs that will be evaluated on compliance culture and future teacher workforce pipelines.