Title IX reads: "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"
While Title IX is best known for its impact on high school and collegiate athletics, Title IX is not just about sports. "It prohibits discrimination against girls and boys, women and men, students and employees, in all levels of education. In accordance with the 1987 Civil Rights Restoration Act, it continues to apply to all education programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance. For example, it prohibits sex discrimination in facilities, access to courses, career guidance, student financial aid, health and insurance benefits, employment in educational institutions, and sexual harassment ...
Despite progress on some indicators, many inequities remain. Women earn only 20 percent of engineering degrees. Sex segregation and tracking funnel 90 percent of girls and women into traditionally female fields in vocational and technical education. Boys are two-thirds of the special education students and receive 71% of suspensions from school."
(From - http://feminist.org/education/index.asp )
For information on progress and challenges to Title IX see the Ms. magazine articles on “Triumphs of Title IX” (PDF) and the 2008 report, “Title IX at 35: Beyond the Headlines” by the National Coalition for Women and Girls in Education" summary (PDF) full report (PDF)
Plus, this recent letter from the Assistant Secretary of the United States Department of Education Office for Civil Rights contains significant guidance for schools and universities towards meeting the obligations of Title IX.
http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/letters/colleague-201104.pdf
On this 39th birthday of Title IX there is plenty to celebrate, yet, much equity work remains to be accomplished, at UAF, and across the nation.
Check out the Happy Birthday Title IX display outside the UAF Women's Center (112 Eielson Building) and the Ms. Magazine blog posts on Title IX @
http://msmagazine.com/blog/blog/tag/title-ix
Join in celebration of AND re-commitment to equity, here at UAF and across the nation.
