Three Steps Anyone Can Take to Hold Schools and Universities Accountable on Title IX

I received strong – mostly positive – feedback on my column about the 50th anniversary of Title IX: “ Title IX at 50: Time to Celebrate and Rededicate.”

Most of the positive feedback centered around the list of three steps I included for pursuing action against a school or college that could be falling short of the requirements of Title IX.

For those that missed the original column, didn’t make it to the list section of the column, or just want a quick reference for potential Title IX action items that anyone can take to hold institutions accountable, I’m re-posting the list here:

Pressure the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) to Aggressively Enforce Title IX and Improve Education Regarding the Law

The fact is, despite impressive gains, 50 years after Congress passed Title IX, women and girls continue to be denied equal opportunities to participate in athletics based on their gender. Moreover, when given the opportunity to compete, too often they aren’t given equitable resources relative to men and boys.

The OCR is the federal agency responsible for enforcing Title IX. In order to ensure equal opportunity in athletics, the OCR needs to vigorously enforce the implementation of Title IX at all levels of education.

More specifically, the OCR must be more proactive in initiating Title IX compliance reviews, and threatening the denial of Federal funding when necessary, in order to accelerate compliance with Title IX at the middle school, high school and college levels.

While the OCR has initiated some compliance reviews through the years, they have not initiated proceedings to withdraw federal funds from a high school or college for non-compliance with Title IX. Our country’s schools and colleges need to see clear repercussions for failing to comply with Title IX. A law can only be optimally effective if it is aggressively enforced.

Without an active OCR, individuals need to keep fighting for Title IX compliance. Women, and their supporters – male and female — across the country, have been very successful in fighting for female rights in the world of sports by filing civil rights complaints and lawsuits.

File a Title IX complaint With the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR)

Here’s a link with information on how to file a Title IX complaint with the OCR.

If a filer prefers, complaints can be filed anonymously.

Once the complaint is filed, the OCR has a specified number of days to begin an investigation.

File an Open-Records Request for Male and Female Sports Opportunities and Expenditures in a High School’s Athletic Programs

The raw numbers make it easier to prove discrimination. Any advocate for equal opportunity in sports can pick a school or school district and file an open-records request for sports data. If it is found girls are being treated unequally, in addition to the OCR complaint, a Title IX complaint can be filed with the school, school district administration and local school board.

Together, let’s rededicate ourselves to pushing the country to complete adherence to the rules and requirements of Title IX.

—- Ken Reed, Sports Policy Director, League of Fans