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Title IX is not just about the equality of sports teams and sports funding, which is what gets most of the attention, and it is what most people think of when they hear Title IX. However, there is so much more that goes with Title IX. The overall equality throughout our schools, as well as harassment, and different types of discrimination are covered in Title IX. Discrimination can be focused on LGBTQ+ rights, the rights of pregnant or soon-to-be fathers. Harassment that many coaches find as just having fun or testing someone's manhood could be seen as  a Title IX issue. This guide is to help inform Coaches and support staff at all Ozona Schools of what can be covered under Title IX, news articles that may shed additional light on the subject as well as Laws that support Title IX.

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The basis of Title IX is that no school that receives federal money may discriminate on the basis of gender or sexual orientation. Title IX was enacted in 1972 and was at first brought about because of the inequality of athletic funds such as scholarships and facilities. However over the decades that Law has been amended more and more to include harassment, discrimination, and other civil rights issues.
More often than not when people especially coaches think of Title IX they automatically go to think of sports. However, as we have seen in the last several years legal liabilities have stretched far beyond the playing fields. Harassment and any sexual discrimination can now be covered under Title IX. Sexual harassment and sexual violence are covered under Title IX. The world is changing and all staff members need to know what is going on and how to spot a Title IX issue and how to stay in compliance.

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There are many resources that coaches and staff members are able to access. The more you know and the better prepared you are and the better you can help serve all our kids, not just the athletes. Things that used to be normal or commonplace are no longer acceptable and we as EDUCATORS  need to be aware of all that is going on with the student body.
The National Education Association (NEA), has provided several articles in repose to harassment and sexual discrimination over the last year, including how and why schools must provide a safe and secure environment for all students. The article provided looks at how schools could add safeguards to protect students that have experienced some forms of sexual assault and not make them feel as if they are the problem rather than the victim.
https://www.nea.org/advocating-for-change/new-from-nea/title-ix-public-hearing-testimony-sexual-harassment-and-lgbtq

Association, N. E. (2021, June 17). Title IX Public Hearing Testimony (Sexual Harassment and LGBTQ Discrimination). NEA. https://www.nea.org/advocating-for-change/new-from-nea/title-ix-public-hearing-testimony-sexual-harassment-and-lgbtq.

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Since the inauguration of our last two presidents, the hot topic has been LGBTQ+ rights and their position on sports teams, the ability to use bathrooms, and their overall treatment in schools. With the new legislation, there are even more questions than answers, and things could get crazy before we have any true answers. States that may lean more toward the, what sex you are born with is the sex you should compete with, may change their tone if they are given Title IX sanctions.

* The Department of Education has ruled that LGBTQ+ rights are protected by anti-discrimination laws in schools.

* "Numerous courts have recognized, a school’s policy or actions that treat gay, lesbian, or transgender students differently from other students may cause harm"  (Blad, 2021).

* Education Secertary Miguel Cardona has said “The Supreme Court has upheld the right for LGBTQ+ people to live and work without fear of harassment, exclusion, and discrimination — and our LGBTQ+ students have the same rights and deserve the same protections"

LGBTQ+ covered
Blad, E. (2021, June 29). LGBTQ Students Are Protected by Federal Anti-Discrimination Law, Education Dept. Says. Education Week. https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/lgbtq-students-are-protected-by-federal-anti-discrimination-laws-education-dept-says/2021/06.

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When it comes to sexual harassment the wording has always seemed to be a bit misleading and allowed for those accused of sexual harassment to make claims without any type of proof. This has caused many people educators included to lose their jobs without any burden of proof. In 2020 sexual harassment was given a more accurate definition, the rule defines sexual harassment as “unwelcome conduct on the basis of sex that is so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it effectively denies a person equal access to the school’s education program or activity"  (Blad, 2021).  Though this is not without its detractors as many see this as a way to silence accusers and not a way to protect those that are wrongly accused.

*Schools are required to respond when they have “actual knowledge” of a complaint of sexual harassment, which can include a report to any employee of an elementary or secondary school.

* Schools must respond when harassment occurs “in the school’s education program or activity (Blad, 2021). This includes anywhere that school may have control over such as buses, gyms, the track, or band halls.

Sexual Harassment
Blad, E. (2021, February 4). Title IX Rule Details How K-12 Schools Must Address Sexual Harassment, Assault. Education Week. https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/title-ix-rule-details-how-k-12-schools-must-address-sexual-harassment-assault/2020/05.

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• Davis V. Monroe County Bd. of Ed (1999) A private Title IX damages action may lie against a school board in cases of student-on-student harassment, but only where the funding recipient is deliberately indifferent to sexual harassment, of which the recipient has actual knowledge, and that harassment is so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it can be said to deprive the victims of access to the educational opportunities or benefits provided by the school. DAVIS V. MONROE COUNTY BD. OF ED. (97-843) 526 U.S. 629 (1999)

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14th Amendment U.S. Const. amend. XIV, § 2
All persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

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1. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. (42 U.S.C. 1981 Pub. L. 88-352) Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, as amended, protects employees and job applicants from employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin.

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Titles I and V of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990, Pub. L. No. 101-336, 104 Stat. 328 (1990). physical or mental disabilities in no way diminish a person's right to fully participate in all aspects of society, yet many people with physical or mental disabilities have been precluded from doing so because of discrimination; others who have a record of a disability or are regarded as having a disability also have been subjected to discrimination;

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Teachers should not behave in a way that makes a student feel as if their learning environment is unsafe or unwelcoming.
Standard 3.2 of the Ozona Teacher Handbook page 37 The educator shall not intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly treat a student or minor in a manner that adversely affects or endangers the learning, physical health, mental health, or safety of the student or minor.
Crockett County Consolidated Common School District (2021, July 19) Employee Handbook- Ethical Conduct Towards Children page 37

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This may have more to do with what one's ethical standards are and what side of the fence you are on when it comes to LGBTQ+ issues. From an ethical standpoint, it is simple all students should be treated equally and should not be discriminated against, however, how and where someone is brought up may play into the way one feels and may even treat a student.

https://texreg.sos.state.tx.us/public/readtac$ext.TacPage?sl=R&app=9&p_dir=&p_rloc=&p_tloc=&p_ploc=&pg=1&p_tac=&ti=19&pt=7&ch=247&rl=2

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TEA along with the Texas High School Coaches Association both have really good resources to make sure you stay up to date on all things pertaining to Title IX. With all the changes happening almost daily edweek.org has had multiple post dealing with the changes with Title IX.

https://www.edweek.org

https://multibriefs.com/briefs/THSCA/THSCA071515.php

https://tea.texas.gov/about-tea/contact-us/general-inquiry/equal-educational-opportunity

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When it comes to Title IX remember it is not just about athletics, it is about total equality for all without risk of discrimination for any reason.
1. The old school way is not always the best way.
2. Know what is considered harassment and who to report to.
3. All kids are important not just the ones that compete for you.
4. Sexual harassment is not just boy to girl, it can be boy to boy, girl to boy, or girl to girl.
5. Stay up to date on the ever changing laws.
6. Stay vigilant know what is going on at school with ALL the kids.
7. Never let your emotions get the better of you, just because you feel a certain way does NOT mean that is what you push on the students.