Title IX

Title IX

Title IX is a federal law that was passed in 1972 to insure that male and female students and employees in educational settings are treated equally and fairly. It protects against discrimination based on gender. The preamble to Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 states that:

“No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in,
be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under
any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance”

What is Title IX? – If you are new to Title IX or want a refresher, begin here. It is a good review:

• Original Text of the Legislation - These regulations were published by the Department of Education and codified at 34 CFR Part 106, as amended, 65 Fed. Reg. 68050 (Nov. 13, 2000).
• Office for Civil Rights – US Department of Education
• Filing a Complaint with OCR
• OCR Reading Room
• Protecting Students from Harassment and Hate Crime – A Guide for Schools
  A comprehensive free manual published by U.S. Department of Education – Office for Civil Rights and the National Association of Attorneys General, Endorsed by the National School Boards – Association.
• Sexual Harassment Guidance: Harassment of Students by School Employees, Other Students, or Third Parties. This guidance was published by the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights.
• State Equity Contacts
• The WEEA Equity Resource Center
• Title IX Coordinator Job Responsibilities

Some of the most commonly asked questions about Title IX involve questions about sports. Here are several links. Title IX: Gender Equity in Sports – from the Connecticut Women’s Education and Legal Fund  (CWEALF) Title IX and Athletics – from the National Women’s Law Center (NWLC) Title IX Q & A – from the Women’s Sports Foundation Gender Equity in Sports and Athletics – from the Feminist Majority Foundation

Sexual Harassment

The National Association of State Boards of Education offers a publication “ Sexual Harassment in Schools: A Policy Guide” that includes recommendations for state actions, a sample state policy, a sample district policy, a students’ guide for understanding sexual harassment at school and on the job, and teaching strategies for sexual harassment.

The United States Department of Education Office for Civil Rights publishes:

• Frequently Asked Questions about Sexual Harassment
• Checklist for Addressing Harassment
• OCR Sexual Harassment Guidance
• Sexual Harassment: It’s Not Academic (pamphlet)
• The American Association of University Women publishes:
• “Hostile Hallways: Bullying, Teasing, and Sexual Harassment in School”

The Connecticut Women’s Education & Legal Fund (CWEALF) publishes:
Sexual Harassment in Schools

WGBY, Public Television for Western Massachusetts:
A Questionnaire on Sexual Harassment for Students

State Department of Education websites on Title IX:
Connecticut