How to File a Title IX Complaint in K-12 Schools
Stop Sexual Assault in Schools
Educating students, families, and schools about the right to an equal education free from sexual harassment
A Guide for Parents and Guardians
By Dr. Bill Howe with Stop Sexual Assault in Schools (SSAIS.org)
Dr. Howe was the Connecticut State Title IX coordinator for 17 years. He maintains a website on Title IX.
This simple guidance for parents and guardians explains how to file a complaint with your school district regarding sexual harassment, sexual violence, sex discrimination, and other violations of state and federal civil rights laws regarding gender discrimination. Some of this guidance also applies to educational programs (e.g. museum, science center) or private schools, if they receive federal funding from any source (e.g. Department of Education, Department of Agriculture, etc.). All public and private schools that receive federal funding must follow the federal civil rights law Title IX, which protects students from the impact of sexual harassment and assault on their education.
The following information should not be construed as legal advice.
- Make sure that your school or educational program is required to follow state and federal civil rights laws. Under federal law, any educational entity that receives even one dollar of federal financial support must abide by Title IX and other federal civil rights laws. Do not let schools argue that since “they do not receive Title IX money” they do not have to obey the law. For example, schools (public or private) must follow Title IX under these circumstances:
— The school receives public school district funding. Public school funds, state funds, and federal funds are commingled. Therefore, acceptance of public school district funding or state funds is essentially the same as receiving federal funding.
— If any student in your school receives grants, scholarships, or loans through the school district or through the state, that is federal funding.
— If the school receives any state funds, then the school is bound by state civil rights laws, which most likely include anti-discrimination laws such as sex discrimination and sexual harassment.
— The private school receives federal funds, such as Title I, from any number of federal agencies, such as the National Science Foundation, Department of Education, Department of Agriculture, etc.
To find out if a private school receives federal funding or how to file a complaint if it does, see Title IX and Private Schools. If your private school is one of several within an organization or diocese and even if only one school accepts federal money, Title IX applies to all schools in the organization or diocese. Learn more.
Students in parochial schools are generally not protected by state and federal civil rights laws if the continue reading:
How to File a Title IX Complaint in K-12 Schools | Stop Sexual Assault in Schools:
How to File a Title IX Complaint in K-12 Schools | Stop Sexual Assault in Schools: