Labor & Employment Law
Title IX Gender Discrimination in Education
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 is a federal law that prohibits gender discrimination in educational institutions, including public primary and secondary schools (K-12), colleges, universities, and other post-secondary schools. Its protections extend to both students and employees, ensuring equality in access to education and employment within academic settings. The law also prohibits retaliation against individuals who report or oppose gender discrimination.
Title IX guarantees gender equality across various areas, including access to higher education, equal opportunities in athletics, and accommodations for pregnant or parenting students. Protections under the law include fair funding for women’s sports, equal access to scholarships, and pay equity among male and female coaches. Title IX also protects blind and visually impaired students from discriminatory practices in admissions.
Unlawful practices under Title IX include sexual harassment, discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity, unequal treatment in pay or tenure, and denial of educational programs or activities due to gender. The law ensures that those who experience or report such discrimination are protected from retaliation.
Title IX Gender Discrimination Frequently Asked Questions
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX) prohibits educational institutions, including public primary and secondary schools (K-12) and post-secondary educational institutions (colleges and universities) and other schools from gender discrimination in education. Title IX has a wide reach as it protects both students as well as employees.
Title IX also makes it illegal to retaliate against individuals who report gender discrimination in education or oppose such unlawful conduct.
Title IX seeks to guarantee equality between genders, including:
- Access to higher education, especially in areas of study where women, including women of color, are and have been traditionally underrepresented
- Equal opportunity and access to athletics, including:
- Adequate funding of women’s sports
- Equal access to practice times, facilities, and transportation
- Access to scholarship monies
- Pay equity among male and female coaches
- Education for pregnant and parenting students
Title IX also protects blind and visually impaired students from discrimination in admissions.
- Sexual harassment
- Differential treatment in tenure, pay equity and pregnancy
- Discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity
- Denial of educational activities and programs based on gender
- Retaliation for complaining about discrimination
Attorney Adria Lynn Silva of Sass Law Firm assists employees and students through:
- A school or university’s internal investigation, hearing, and appeal procedures of Title IX claims of discrimination or harassment-whether the student or employee is complaining about Title IX discrimination or Title IX harassment, is responding to a Title IX complaint, or is a witness in the proceedings
- Title IX administrative proceedings at the Office for Civil Rights (OCR), including mediation
- Representation at the trial and appellate court levels regarding Title IX discrimination, harassment, and retaliation claims
- Representation of blind and visually impaired students
Other Educational Matters
Attorney Silva also represents students and employees in other educational matters including:
- Negotiation of disability or pregnancy accommodations
- Representation in race, disability, and age discrimination matters
- Representation in internal misconduct proceedings
Employees are protected from retaliation for:
- Complaining about LGBTQ discrimination
- Reporting sexual orientation harassment
- Reporting gender-based harassment
- Standing up for their rights under applicable laws
Legal protections may vary depending on your location within Florida. Local ordinances may provide additional protections beyond federal and state law.
Need Help with a Title IX or Other Educational Matters?
If you are experiencing an issue with your employer and are looking for accurate and contemporary legal advice, the attorneys at Sass Law Firm are here to help.