The Policy
We are not lawyers nor experts on Title IX. While all information concerning Title IX on this website has been thoroughly researched, what is stated here should not be taken as legal advice. We highly suggest contacting a lawyer and/or other Title IX resources should you find yourself involved in a Title IX case.
When we talk about “Title IX,” we’re referring to Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, which states:
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Title IX is the amendment that banned sex discrimination in educational institutions that receive federal funding (most K-12 schools and universities). This includes all programs and activities within these institutions, like sports, housing, clubs, admissions, ect. Even though the amendment itself is rather short and obtuse, in the years since its creation, it has been given a much broader scope by the US Department of Education (ED) and the Supreme Court. Now, Title IX covers a large array of sex discrimination acts including, but not limited to: the treatment of pregnant or parenting students, athletic opportunity, single-sex education, employment rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and sex-based harassment and violence.
Sex-based harassment and violence is where most of our focus lies, but any sex discrimination is included under the protections of Title IX. (A quick note: the use of “sex” within this amendment is referring to gender.)
Title IX’s main objective is to keep federal money from being used in educational programs and activities that partake in sex discrimination. It was also created to provide citizens with protection against such practices, and keeps institutions that receive federal funding from retaliating against a person who makes complaints regarding Title IX.
The Office of Civil Rights (OCR) are the ones who enforce these guidelines. Institutions are legally required to respond to any hostile educational environment, usually through the help of the OCR. It’s also up to the OCR to conduct compliance reviews, which search for systematic violations based on information other than complaints. Should an institution be found in violation of Title IX, their federal funding could be revoked.
Essentially, Title IX attempts to keep federal money, tax-payer money, out of the hands of institutions that don’t live up to gender equality laws and practices.
“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.”