Title IX Educational Equity (SB1375)
What is Title IX?
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 protects people from discrimination based on sex in education programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance. The Title IX regulation describes the conduct that violates Title IX. Examples of the types of discrimination that are covered under Title IX include sexual harassment, the failure to provide equal opportunity in athletics, and discrimination based on pregnancy. To enforce Title IX, the U.S. Department of Education maintains an Office for Civil Rights, with headquarters in Washington, DC and 12 offices across the United States. Source: U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights. (2015). Title IX and Sex Discrimination.
Title IX Coordinator
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 protects people from discrimination based on sex in education programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance. The Title IX regulation describes the conduct that violates Title IX. Examples of the types of discrimination that are covered under Title IX include sexual harassment, the failure to provide equal opportunity in athletics, and discrimination based on pregnancy. To enforce Title IX, the U.S. Department of Education maintains an Office for Civil Rights, with headquarters in Washington, DC and 12 offices across the United States. Source: U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights. (2015). Title IX and Sex Discrimination.
Title IX Coordinator
Interim Associate Director, Larry Alvarado
6020 Hughes Street
San Diego, CA 92115
619-582-1822 Ext. 3004
The rights of a pupil and the public and the responsibilities of the school district under Title IX, which shall include, but shall not be limited to, Internet Web links to information about those rights and responsibilities located on the Internet Web sites of the department’s Office for Equal Opportunity and the United States Department of Education Office of Civil Rights, and the list of rights specified in Section 221.8.
US Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights HERE
Office of U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission HERE
Section 221.8 Rights: The following list of rights, which are based on the relevant provisions of the federal regulations implementing Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. Sec. 1681 et seq.), may be used by the department for purposes of Section 221.6: (a) You have the right to fair and equitable treatment and you shall not be discriminated against based on your sex. (b) You have the right to be provided with an equitable opportunity to participate in all academic extracurricular activities, including athletics. (c) You have the right to inquire of the athletic director of your school as to the athletic opportunities offered by the school. (d) You have the right to apply for athletic scholarships. (e) You have the right to receive equitable treatment and benefits in the provision of all of the following: (1) Equipment and supplies. (2) Scheduling of games and practices. (3) Transportation and daily allowances. (4) Access to tutoring. (5) Coaching. (6) Locker rooms. (7) Practice and competitive facilities. (8) Medical and training facilities and services. (9) Publicity. (f) You have the right to have access to a gender equity coordinator to answer questions regarding gender equity laws. (g) You have the right to contact the State Department of Education and the California Interscholastic Federation to access information on gender equity laws. (h) You have the right to file a confidential discrimination complaint with the United States Office of Civil Rights or the State Department of Education if you believe you have been discriminated against or if you believe you have received unequal treatment on the basis of your sex. (i) You have the right to pursue civil remedies if you have been discriminated against. (j) You have the right to be protected against retaliation if you file a discrimination complaint.
US Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights HERE
Office of U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission HERE
Section 221.8 Rights: The following list of rights, which are based on the relevant provisions of the federal regulations implementing Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. Sec. 1681 et seq.), may be used by the department for purposes of Section 221.6: (a) You have the right to fair and equitable treatment and you shall not be discriminated against based on your sex. (b) You have the right to be provided with an equitable opportunity to participate in all academic extracurricular activities, including athletics. (c) You have the right to inquire of the athletic director of your school as to the athletic opportunities offered by the school. (d) You have the right to apply for athletic scholarships. (e) You have the right to receive equitable treatment and benefits in the provision of all of the following: (1) Equipment and supplies. (2) Scheduling of games and practices. (3) Transportation and daily allowances. (4) Access to tutoring. (5) Coaching. (6) Locker rooms. (7) Practice and competitive facilities. (8) Medical and training facilities and services. (9) Publicity. (f) You have the right to have access to a gender equity coordinator to answer questions regarding gender equity laws. (g) You have the right to contact the State Department of Education and the California Interscholastic Federation to access information on gender equity laws. (h) You have the right to file a confidential discrimination complaint with the United States Office of Civil Rights or the State Department of Education if you believe you have been discriminated against or if you believe you have received unequal treatment on the basis of your sex. (i) You have the right to pursue civil remedies if you have been discriminated against. (j) You have the right to be protected against retaliation if you file a discrimination complaint.
A description of how to file a complaint under Title IX
After an initial attempt is made to resolve the issue with the Title IX coordinator, a formal complaint may be filed through the Universal Complaint Procedure.
A written complaint alleging district violation of applicable state or federal law or regulations governing adult education programs, consolidated categorical aid programs, migrant education, career technical and technical education and training programs, child care and development programs, child nutrition programs, and special education programs may be filed by any individual, public agency, or organization. (5 CCR 4630)
Any complaint alleging noncompliance with law regarding the prohibition against requiring students to pay student fees, deposits, and charges or any requirement related to the LCAP may be filed anonymously if the complaint provides evidence, or information leading to evidence, to support an allegation of noncompliance. A complaint about a violation of the prohibition against the charging of unlawful student fees may be filed with the principal of the school. However, any such complaint shall be filed no later than one year from the date the alleged violation occurred. (Education Code 49013, 52075; 5 CCR 4630)
A complaint alleging unlawful discrimination (such as discriminatory harassment, intimidation, or bullying) may be filed only by a person who alleges that he/she personally suffered the unlawful discrimination or by a person who believes that an individual or any specific class of individuals has been subjected to it. The complaint shall be initiated no later than six months from the date when the alleged unlawful discrimination occurred, or six months from the date when the complainant first obtained knowledge of the facts of the alleged unlawful discrimination. The time for filing may be extended for up to 90 days by the Superintendent or designee for good cause upon written request by the complainant setting forth the reasons for the extension. (5 CCR 4630)
When a complaint alleging unlawful discrimination (such as discriminatory harassment, intimidation, or bullying) is filed anonymously, the compliance officer shall pursue an investigation or other response as appropriate, depending on the specificity and reliability of the information provided and the seriousness of the allegation.
When the complainant or alleged victim of unlawful discrimination (such as discriminatory harassment, intimidation, or bullying) requests confidentiality, the compliance officer shall inform him/her that the request may limit the district's ability to investigate the conduct or take other necessary action. When honoring a request for confidentiality, the district shall nevertheless take all reasonable steps to investigate and resolve/respond to the complaint consistent with the request.
If a complainant is unable to put a complaint in writing due to conditions such as a disability or illiteracy, district staff shall assist him/her in the filing of the complaint. (5 CCR 4600)
Darnall Universal Complaint Policy and Procedures
Any complaint alleging noncompliance with law regarding the prohibition against requiring students to pay student fees, deposits, and charges or any requirement related to the LCAP may be filed anonymously if the complaint provides evidence, or information leading to evidence, to support an allegation of noncompliance. A complaint about a violation of the prohibition against the charging of unlawful student fees may be filed with the principal of the school. However, any such complaint shall be filed no later than one year from the date the alleged violation occurred. (Education Code 49013, 52075; 5 CCR 4630)
A complaint alleging unlawful discrimination (such as discriminatory harassment, intimidation, or bullying) may be filed only by a person who alleges that he/she personally suffered the unlawful discrimination or by a person who believes that an individual or any specific class of individuals has been subjected to it. The complaint shall be initiated no later than six months from the date when the alleged unlawful discrimination occurred, or six months from the date when the complainant first obtained knowledge of the facts of the alleged unlawful discrimination. The time for filing may be extended for up to 90 days by the Superintendent or designee for good cause upon written request by the complainant setting forth the reasons for the extension. (5 CCR 4630)
When a complaint alleging unlawful discrimination (such as discriminatory harassment, intimidation, or bullying) is filed anonymously, the compliance officer shall pursue an investigation or other response as appropriate, depending on the specificity and reliability of the information provided and the seriousness of the allegation.
When the complainant or alleged victim of unlawful discrimination (such as discriminatory harassment, intimidation, or bullying) requests confidentiality, the compliance officer shall inform him/her that the request may limit the district's ability to investigate the conduct or take other necessary action. When honoring a request for confidentiality, the district shall nevertheless take all reasonable steps to investigate and resolve/respond to the complaint consistent with the request.
If a complainant is unable to put a complaint in writing due to conditions such as a disability or illiteracy, district staff shall assist him/her in the filing of the complaint. (5 CCR 4600)
Darnall Universal Complaint Policy and Procedures
Universal Complaint Compliance Officer
Interim Executive Director, Tony Perez
6020 Hughes Street
San Diego, CA 92115
619-582-1822 Ext. 3004
Interim Executive Director, Tony Perez
6020 Hughes Street
San Diego, CA 92115
619-582-1822 Ext. 3004
An explanation of the statute of limitations within which a complaint must be filed after an alleged incident of discrimination has occurred, and how a complaint may be filed beyond the statute of limitations.
- A complaint alleging unlawful discrimination, harassment, intimidation or bullying shall be initiated no later than six (6) months from the date when the alleged unlawful discrimination, harassment, intimidation or bullying occurred, or six (6) months from the date when the complainant first obtained knowledge of the facts of the alleged unlawful discrimination, harassment, intimidation or bullying. A complaint may be filed by a person who alleges that he/she personally suffered unlawful discrimination, harassment, intimidation or bullying or by a person who believes that an individual or any specific class of individuals has been subjected to unlawful discrimination, harassment, intimidation or bullying.
- Pupil fee complaints shall be filed not later than one (1) year from the date the alleged violation occurred.
- The complaint shall be presented to the compliance officer who shall maintain a log of complaints received, providing each with a code number and date stamp.
An explanation of how the complaint will be investigated and how the complainant may further pursue the complaint, including, but not limited to, Internet Web links to this information on the United States Department of Education Office for Civil Rights’ Internet Web site.
Investigation of Complaint
The compliance officer is encouraged to hold an investigative meeting within five (5) days of receiving the complaint or an unsuccessful attempt to mediate the complaint. This meeting shall provide an opportunity for the complainant and/or his/her representative to repeat the complaint orally. The complainant and/or his/her representative shall have an opportunity to present the complaint and evidence or information leading to evidence to support the allegations in the complaint.
A complainant’s refusal to provide the Charter School’s investigator with documents or other evidence related to the allegations in the complaint, or his/her failure or refusal to cooperate in the investigation or his/her engagement in any other obstruction of the investigation, may result in the dismissal of the complaint because of a lack of evidence to support the allegation.
The Charter School’s refusal to provide the investigator with access to records and/or other information related to the allegation in the complaint, or its failure or refusal to cooperate in the investigation or its engagement in any other obstruction of the investigation, may result in a finding, based on evidence collected, that a violation has occurred and may result in the imposition of a remedy in favor of the complainant.
Response
Unless extended by written agreement with the complainant, the compliance officer shall prepare and send to the complainant a written report of the Charter School’s investigation and decision, as described below, within 60 days of the Charter School’s receipt of the complaint.
Final Written Decision
The Charter School’s decision shall be in writing and sent to the complainant. The Charter School’s decision shall be written in English and in the language of the complainant whenever feasible or as required by law. The decision shall include: 1. The findings of fact based on evidence gathered. 2. The conclusion(s) of law. 3. Disposition of the complaint 4. Rationale for such disposition. 5. Corrective actions, if any are warranted. 6. Notice of the complainant’s right to appeal the Charter School’s decision within fifteen (15) days to the CDE and procedures to be followed for initiating such an appeal. 7. For unlawful discrimination, harassment, intimidation or bullying complaints arising under state law, notice that the complainant must wait until sixty (60) days have elapsed from the filing of an appeal with the CDE before pursuing civil law remedies. 8. For unlawful discrimination, harassment, intimidation or bullying complaints arising under federal law such complaint may be made at any time to the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights. If an employee is disciplined as a result of the complaint, the decision shall simply state that effective action was taken and that the employee was informed of the Charter School’s expectations. The report shall not give any further information as to the nature of the disciplinary action.
Appeals to the California Department of Education
If dissatisfied with the Charter School’s decision, the complainant may appeal in writing to the CDE within fifteen (15) days of receiving the Charter School’s decision. When appealing to the CDE, the complainant must specify the basis for the appeal of the decision and whether the facts are incorrect and/or the law has been misapplied. The appeal shall be accompanied by a copy of the locally filed complaint and a copy of the Charter School’s decision.
Web Links
US Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights HERE
Office of U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission HERE
Office of U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission HERE
An Internet Web link to the United States Department of Education Office for Civil Rights complaints form, and the contact information for the office, which shall include the phone number and email address for the office.
U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights Form - HERE (click at bottom of page)
Contact Information:
Contact Information:
U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, Lyndon Baines Johnson Department of Education Bldg, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20202-1100, Telephone: 800-421-3481, FAX: 202-453-6012; TDD: 800-877 8339, Email: [email protected]
San Francisco Office, Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, 50 United Nations Plaza, Mail Box 1200, Room 1545, San Francisco, CA 94102, Telephone: 415-486-5555, FAX: 415-486-5570; TDD: 800-877-8339, Email: [email protected]