Athletics

Title IX is the federal law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in schools that receive federal funding — including in their athletics programs. Since Title IX became law in 1972, NWLC has worked hard to ensure that women and girls are treated fairly in athletics programs — from challenging schools to provide female athletes with equal access to athletic opportunities, to fighting efforts to weaken enforcement of Title IX protections for women and girls. Despite the fact that Title IX has opened many doors for women and girls in athletics, schools across the country are still not providing equal opportunities for girls to participate in sports and are not treating girls’ teams equally in terms of benefits and resources. 

Resources for Students, Parents, & Educators

• Check It Out: Is the Playing Field Level for Women and Girls at Your School?
• Breaking Down Barriers: A Legal Guide to Title IX and Athletic Opportunities
• Debunking the Myths About Title IX and Athletics
• The Battle for Gender Equity in Athletics in Elementary and Secondary Schools
• The Battle for Gender Equity in Athletics in Higher Education
• Title IX Still Applies: Gender Equity in Athletics During Difficult Economic Times
• Paying for the Playing Field: Booster Clubs, Funding, School Sports and Title IX
• Title IX and Men's "Minor" Sports: A False Conflict

Recent Cases & Legislation

• Court of Appeals Rules That Female Students Can Proceed in Claim that Non-Primetime Game Schedule Violates Title IX
• High School Athletics Transparency Bill
• National Women’s Law Center Files Title IX Complaints Against 12 School Districts