Addressing sex discrimination with Title IX coordinators in the #MeToo era

Abstract

Title IX coordinators play an essential role in ensuring that schools are free of gender-based harassment and discrimination; however, a recent survey of coordinators in California and Colorado shows that many of them are poorly equipped to do this work. In their study, Elizabeth J. Meyer and Andrea Somoza-Norton found that contact information for Title IX coordinators is often difficult to find, that their job descriptions are too broad and complex, that they receive insufficient training, and that many are unaware of their role in assisting students, especially transgender students. The authors recommend that the Office of Civil Rights, district leaders, school boards, and Title IX coordinators themselves take action to bring clarity to this work.

Title IX Policy Implementation and Sexual Harassment Prevalence in K-12 Schools

“…Although Title IX language is clear, a school districts compliance with the law can be problematic (Meyer & Somoza-Norton, 2018). The Office of Civil Rights (OCR) and the United States Supreme Court agreed that if a school administrator knows or reasonably should know that sexual harassment is happening, they must take steps to address it reasonably and promptly (Brotine, 2019; Brown, 2017; Mitchell, 2010, and Miller & Mondschein, 2017).…”

“…One of the requirements of Title IX is for K-12 schools to appoint a Title IX coordinator (Hill & Kearl, 2011; Meyer & Somoza-Norton, 2018). The Revised Sexual Harassment Guidance issued by the Office of Civil Rights in 2001, the interim guidance released in 2017, and now the 2020 Title IX regulations, require schools to have an adequately trained Title IX coordinator (Hartle, 2017; OCR, 2020).…”

“…The Revised Sexual Harassment Guidance issued by the Office of Civil Rights in 2001, the interim guidance released in 2017, and now the 2020 Title IX regulations, require schools to have an adequately trained Title IX coordinator (Hartle, 2017; OCR, 2020). However, Meyer and Somoza-Norton (2018) found that coordinators surveyed in California and Colorado were poorly equipped to do the work required by their position. Even with a Title IX coordinator in place, Meyer and Somoza-Norton (2018) found that contact information is difficult to find, job descriptions are inadequate or too broad, training is insufficient, many coordinators do not clearly understand their role, and few coordinators have adequate time to do their job effectively.…”

“…However, Meyer and Somoza-Norton (2018) found that coordinators surveyed in California and Colorado were poorly equipped to do the work required by their position. Even with a Title IX coordinator in place, Meyer and Somoza-Norton (2018) found that contact information is difficult to find, job descriptions are inadequate or too broad, training is insufficient, many coordinators do not clearly understand their role, and few coordinators have adequate time to do their job effectively.…”

“…Non-compliance with these mandates can result in Title IX sanctions and schools may be accountable for monetary damages (Surface et al., 2014). Title IX requirements to provide students an education free from sexual harassment are largely unfunded and rely primarily under pressure to lose funding (Meyer & Somoza-Norton, 2018). Since 2001, the Office for Civil Rights has mandated specific responsibilities for schools which include publishing and disseminating “a policy opposing sex discrimination.…”