Coverage of Title IX Letter from Department of Education
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The Office of Civil Rights within the Department of Education released important information in a dear colleague letter concerning the implementation of Title IX in relation to pregnant students. The letter released in June 2013 is primarily addressed to high schools, but the letter makes clear that the information is applicable to higher education as well.
Many institutions already accommodate pregnant students, but one important note is this clarification and treatment of students is applying the Title IX 1972 law against discrimination based on sex instead of some other law, like Americans with Disabilities Act.
Full links to the letter and coverage of the letter can be found at the left.
As Student Affairs professionals we must be aware this law specifically states that extracurricular activities must also not exclude pregnant students. Reasonable accommodations can be requested and must be made. In addition, a student with a doctor approved absence must be able to come back in same standing in academics and extracurricular activities.
Link to the Letter from the Department of Education: Office of Civil Rights:
Title IX Facts and Figures: �� Started in 1972
Special Report on the Title IX Dear Colleague Letter http:// www2. ed. gov / about / offices / list / ocr / letters / colleague-201306-title-ix. pdf
Link to the pamphlet with more information:
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Oversight and implementation is from Office of Civil Rights within Department of Education
Most known impact is effect on sports http:// www2. ed. gov / about / offices / list / ocr / docs / pregnancy. pdf
Chronicle of Higher Education article
http:// chronicle. com / article / US-Officials- Clarify / 140007 /
�� A“ Dear Colleague” letter in 2011 addressed sexual harassment as discrimination falling within Title IX
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Title IX applies to all institutions, public and private, that receive Federal Funds