Title IX: Gender Equality

Title IX applies to and protects employees from discrimination and harassment on the basis of sex. For all complaints involving conduct covered by Title IX, schools must comply with the grievance processes outlined in the code of federal regulations.

Additionally, Title IX requires that each school district have at least one employee designated as the Title IX Coordinator. The Title IX Coordinator is responsible for ensuring compliance with Title IX, and associated regulations and guidance documents. The Title IX Coordinator will also coordinate all efforts of a school or district’s Title IX team for the purpose of conducting required investigations.

K-12 schools and districts subject to Title IX must also:

• Have, publish, and widely disseminate a policy of non-discrimination and a grievance process complaint with 34 CFR 106.45. The Idaho School Board Association has a template policy and procedure available to all Idaho schools.
• Publish the name and contact information for the Title IX Coordinator on the district or school website.
• Provide baseline training for all people involved in any Title IX grievance process and publish all training received on the district or school’s website.
• Notify all employee that they are responsible employees under Title IX.

Training for Title IX Coordinators

All Title IX Coordinators should participate in adequate training to understand their role and responsibilities across the breadth of Title IX compliance. At a minimum, Title IX Coordinators should have training as outlined in 34 CFR 106.45, including:

• The definition of sexual harassment within Title IX.
• The scope of the recipient’s educational program or activity.
• How to conduct an investigation or grievance process including hearings, appeals, and informal resolution processes.
• How to serve impartially by avoiding prejudgment of facts at issue, conflicts of interest, and bias.

Anti-Retaliation Provision

A school cannot retaliate against individuals, including Title IX Coordinators, for engaging in protected activities under Title IX, including:

• Filing a Title IX complaint.
• The scope of the recipient’s educational program or activity.
• Participating in a Title IX investigation, hearing or proceeding.
• Advocating for others’ Title IX rights.

You Have Rights Under Title IX!

Title IX requires schools that received federal funds to prevent and respond to complaints harassment and discrimination on the basis of sex. Schools subject to Title IX must:

• Offer supportive measures for the party who has been impacted by possible harassment or discrimination on the basis of sex.
• Investigate what happened if a qualifying complaint is received.
• Take appropriate steps to resolve the matter. A school should do its best to eliminate the harassment, prevent recurrence, and remedy the effects of discrimination or harassment.

Complaints

Complaints should be filed with the individual school, district, or institution. However, a complaint may also be filed with the Office for Civil Rights: How to File a Discrimination Complaint.

Anti-Retaliation Provision

A school cannot retaliate against individuals for engaging in protected activities under Title IX, including:

• Filing a Title IX complaint
• Participating in a Title IX investigation, hearing or proceeding
• Advocating for others’ Title IX rights

• 2020 Title IX Regulations
• Title IX Dear Colleague Letter Enforcement of 2020 Regulations
• Title IX and Sex Discrimination – U.S. Department of Education
• Title IX and Single-Sex Elementary and Secondary Classes and Extracurricular Activities Q&A