Athletics

This fact sheet describes areas of focus for schools in order to ensure that all girls have access to a safe and healthy school environment that is conducive to learning.   Schools should address the needs of at-risk girls, including pregnant and parenting students, foster girls' athletic opportunities, protect girls from bullying and harassment, use positive, evidence-based approaches to discipline, provide comprehensive and medically-accurate sex education, and ensure transparency, in order to engage parents and the community members.

In difficult economic times, educational institutions at all levels face tight budgets. When making hard choices, it is important for schools to remember that if they cut any athletic opportunities or benefits, they must do so in a way that does not discriminate on the basis of sex in violation of Title IX. Recent media reports suggest that some educational institutions may not understand their obligations under Title IX and are imposing a greater burden on girls when cutting athletic opportunities or benefits.