Title IX is regarded as one of the most important pieces of legislation that advances opportunities for women and girls in the world of education.  Part of this important story is what this legislation has done to advance their lives off the field and out of the classroom.  If this is what we have accomplished in the past 40 years, I cannot even begin to imagine the greatness that lies ahead.

Maryland Senator Barbara A. Mikulski

This year marks the 40^th anniversary of the Congressional passage of a vital national civil rights law creating equal opportunity in education.  The law, Title IX (of the Education Amendments of 1972) assures that:

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 media coverage has often portrayed Title IX as increasing opportunities for women and girls in athletics, the law applies to all areas of education, and its impact has been significant from K-12 schools through higher education.

As thousands of Marylanders begin the 2012-2013 school year, knowledge of the guarantees under Title IX will help to assure fair treatment for every student:

ATHLETICS

In 1972, there were some 300,000 girls involved nationally in high school sports.  In 2012 there are more than 3 million involved.  The 30,000 women in collegiate sports in 1972 has grown to about 190,000 today.

ACCESS TO HIGHER EDUCATION

Until Title IX, many schools didn’t admit women to graduate programs in fields such as law, medicine, and veterinary medicine. Even Supreme County Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg was initially denied admission to law school. Today law, medical, and veterinary graduates nationally are about 50 percent women.

CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION

Prior to Title IX, girls were not permitted to take “shop” courses (auto mechanics, etc.) and boys could not take courses in Home Economics (cooking and sewing, etc.)  Today, all high school courses must be open to all students.  Barriers to boys and girls taking courses non-traditional for their gender are being addressed.

STEM  (Science/Technology/Engineering/Mathematics) CAREERS

Before Title IX, most women were excluded from STEM careers. The percentage of women with doctorates in STEM fields rose dramatically since Title IX , but Engineering is still at 16 percent.  In Maryland, many STEM programs have been instituted for girls and young women in schools and organizations.

SEXUAL HARRASSMENT

Sexual Harassment and gender–related bullying are covered by Title IX. The U.S. Department of Education and Department of Justice have issued national guidelines. In grades 7-12, 40% of female and male students report sexual harassment of some form.

PREGNANT AND PARENTING TEENS

Under Title IX, pregnant and parenting teens must be provided with full school participation and opportunities for graduation. A new publication, A Pregnancy Test for Schools:  The Impact of Education Laws on Pregnant and Parenting Students, can be downloaded from the National Women’s Law Center at www.nwlc.org.

SINGLE SEX SCHOOLS

Research is showing that single-sex education, K-12, can be fertile ground for gender stereotyping and discrimination. Extensive information can be found in the new Feminist Majority Foundation study: The State of Public School Sex Segregation in the U.S. at http://feminist.org./education/SexSegregation.asp..

In June 2012 a ground-breaking report was released by the National Coalition for Women and Girls in Education (NCWGE), Title IX at 40:  Working to Ensure Gender Equity in Education. The report, covering all areas of Title IX, can be downloaded at http://www.ncwge.org.

Each State Department of Education, public school system and college is required to have a Title IX Coordinator. Linda Shevitz, Maryland’s Title IX Coordinator since1982, is the longest serving State Title IX Coordinator in the nation.  She also coordinates the Maryland Title IX Network of educators who represent all 24 school systems. For more information, contact: lshevitz@msde.state.md.us.