Title IX and Sex Discrimination
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits discrimination based on sex in education programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance. All federal agencies that provide grants of assistance are required to enforce Title IX. The U.S. Department of Education gives grants of financial assistance to schools and colleges and to certain other entities, including vocational rehabilitation programs.
Examples of the types of discrimination that are covered under Title IX include sexual harassment; the failure to provide equal opportunity in athletics; discrimination in a school’s science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) courses and programs; and discrimination based on pregnancy. A fuller list of Title IX issues OCR addresses appears here. The Title IX regulation is enforced by OCR and is in the Code of Federal Regulations at 34 CFR Part 106.
Title IX prohibits retaliation for filing an OCR complaint or for advocating for a right protected by Title IX. Title IX also prohibits employment discrimination, but employment discrimination complaints filed with OCR are generally referred to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Guidance for School Districts regarding Title IX Requirements:
US Department of Education
Title IX Coordinator Resources:
- Dear Colleague Letter - April 24, 2015
- Letter to Title IX Coordinators - April 24, 2015
- Title IX Resource Guide - April 2015
Sexual Harassment Resources:
California Department of Education
- Gender Equity/Title IX laws and policies
- Title IX District Notification Letter - 2013
- Title IX Coordinator Survey - 2013
- Uniform Complaint Procedures
US Department of Justice
US Department of Education Office for Civil Rights
Training Resources and Samples:
- Yello Dyno
- S.E.S.A.M.E. (Stop Educator Sexual Abuse Misconduct and Expoitation)
- Salem-Keizer Public Schools Brochure - Maintaining Appropriate Staff/Student Boundaries
- Guideposts for Teachers to Maintain Healthy Relationships with Students
- Maintaining Appropriate Staff/Student Boundaries Guidelines to Avoid the Appearance of Impropriety
Resources for Districts and Educators:
- Know Your Title IX
- Title IX info
- Sexual Harassment, It's Not Academic (PDF)
- S.E.S.A.M.E. Stop Educator Sexual Abuse Misconduct and Exploitation)
- Yello Dyno
Resources for Students: