Welcome to the Title IX Services section of the website. On this page, you will find resources to help students and their families to connect with these services. We hope that this page continues to grow and to be as interactive as possible.

Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972 (34 C.F.R. Part 106) is a federal civil rights statue that prohibits discrimination of the basis of sex in educational programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance, stating: “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”

 

The following are examples of the types of discriminations that are covered under Title IX:

• sexual harassment

• the failure to provide equal opportunity in athletics

• discrimination in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) courses and programs

• discrimination based on pregnancy

 

Title IX requires that every public school district and charter school designate at least one employee to coordinate their efforts to comply with Title IX responsibilities, referred to as the Title IX Coordinator.

 

The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) of the U.S. Department of Education is responsible for enforcing Title IX; however, a role of the Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Equity Assistance Center is to provide technical assistance to school systems concerning Title IX.

 

The U.S. Department of Education’s new Title IX requirements are effective Friday, August 14, 2020.  The Final Rule defines sexual harassment (including sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking) as unlawful sex discrimination, and imposes important legal obligations on school districts and charter schools.

• ADE: DESE Equity Assistance Center

• ADE Commissioner’s Memo 21-010

• ADE: DESE Let's Shine a Light on Title IX Video

• ADE: DESE Title IX Webpage

• USDOE Office of Civil Rights (OCR)