Title IX

Enacted in 1972, Title IX is a Federal civil-rights law that protects everyone from being discriminated against on the basis of sex in educational programs and activities.

Although Title IX has improved educational access for millions of students, sexual harassment continues to be a widespread problem. In May of 2020, the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) updated its guidelines for how schools must respond to sexual-harassment claims. The guidelines, which are effective August 14, 2020, apply to all types of sexual harassment, including student against student, student against school employee, school employee against school employee, and school employee against student. One of the new guidelines most important changes is that all employees, without delay, must report possible acts of sexual harassment to a Title IX coordinator. 

Federal Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 ("Title IX"), implemented at 34 CFR §106.31(a), provides that no person shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any academic, extracurricular, research, occupation training, or other education program or activity operated by a recipient which receives federal financial assistance. Relevant here, Title IX requires Gravenstein Union School District to take immediate and appropriate action to investigate when it knows or reasonably should know of a possible Title IX violation.

You have the right to fair and equitable treatment and you shall not be discriminated against based on your sex.

• You have the right to be provided with an equitable opportunity to participate in all academic extracurricular activities, including athletics.
• You have the right to inquire of the athletic director of your school or appropriate District personnel as to the athletic opportunities offered by the school.
• You have the right to apply for athletic scholarships if the District offers any.
• You have the right to receive equitable treatment and benefits in the provision of all of the following related to athletics, if any are provided by the District:
  • Equipment and supplies
  • Scheduling of games and practices
  • Transportation and daily allowances
  • Access to tutoring
  • Coaching
  • Locker rooms
  • Practice and competitive facilities
  • Medical and training facilities and services
  • Publicity
• You have the right to have access to a sex/gender equity coordinator, referred to as the Title IX Coordinator, to answer questions regarding sex/gender equity laws.
• You have the right to contact the State Department of Education and the California Interscholastic Federation to access information on sex/gender equity laws.
• You have the right to file a confidential discrimination complaint with the United States Department of Education Office for Civil Rights or the California Department of Education if you believe you have been discriminated against or if you believe you have received unequal treatment on the basis of your sex.
• You have the right to pursue civil remedies if you have been discriminated against.
• You have the right to be protected against retaliation if you file a discrimination complaint. (California Education Code § 221.8.)

In the event of a complaint regarding gender equity or sexual harassment, or discrimination, including harassment, intimidation and bullying because of actual or perceived disability, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, nationality, race, ethnicity, color, ancestry, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital or parental status, or association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics, contact the Title IX Coordinator: