Georgia School District Agrees to Provide Equal Opportunities for Girls in Sports in Response to NWLC Complaint

Office for Civil Rights finds district-wide underrepresentation of girls in high school athletic programs.

(Washington, D.C.) In response to a Title IX complaint filed by the National Women’s Law Center (NWLC) in November 2010, an investigation by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights (OCR) found that girls in the Henry County School District are widely underrepresented in high school athletics programs. OCR found district-wide disparities of 12 to 18 percentage points between girls’ enrollment and the share of athletic participation opportunities provided to them. These gaps represent a total of 1,173 additional opportunities needed to level the playing field for female students. OCR’s investigation also found that girls in the district have a “strong interest” in playing lacrosse, which is not offered by the district, as well as swimming and gymnastics. Henry County School District lacks a policy or procedure for students or parents to request additional sports opportunities, and they will have to correct that deficiency as well.

Under the agreement with OCR, the Henry County School District will conduct comprehensive assessments to determine whether female students’ interests in playing sports are being met. The assessments will be based on multiple indicators of interest and will include a survey of girls in 8th through 12th grades, their participation in club, intramural and recreational sports currently offered in the area, and identification of sports the district does not offer but that are offered by other schools in the same competitive region. The Henry County School District is required to report its findings to OCR and add opportunities for girls based on the assessments in the upcoming school years.

“The resolution of this complaint confirms the Center’s assertions, that the schools’ own data demonstrate widespread disparities in athletic opportunities between boys and girls,” said Marcia D. Greenberger, National Women’s Law Center Co-President. “It’s well-documented that girls’ participation in sports reaps benefits that extend beyond the playing field and leads to higher academic achievement and graduation rates, lower teenage pregnancy rates, and overall better health. The Center’s findings and OCR’s investigation underscore the importance of treating girls fairly and putting these schools on the path toward compliance with Title IX. In this, the 40th year of this landmark law, it is past time to give girls equal opportunities to participate in sports.”

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