What is Title IX?

Title IX of the Education Amendment of 1972 is a federal civil rights law that prohibits sex discrimination on the basis of sex in an educational institution’s programs or activities, including employment, academic, educational, extracurricular, and athletic activities (both on and off-campus). 

The protections of Title IX extend to sexual assault and misconduct that impairs or interferes with access to equitable educational and employment opportunities. It applies to all members of the campus community, including students, District employees, individuals doing business with the campus, those using campus facilities, and those who engage in volunteer activities.

What Are My Rights Under Title IX?
You have the following rights under Title IX, to the extent applicable within the District:

• You have the right to fair and equitable treatment and shall not be discriminated against based on your sex.
  
  
• You have the right to be provided with an equitable opportunity to participate in all extracurricular
    activities, including athletics.
  
  
• You have the right to inquire of the athletic director at your school or appropriate District personnel as to
    the athletic opportunities offered by the school.
  
  
• You have the right to apply for athletic scholarships.
  
  
• You have the right to receive equitable treatment and benefits in the provision of all the following related
    to athletics, if any are provided by the District:
  
  • Equipment and supplies;
  • Scheduling of games and practices;
  • Transportation and daily allowances;
  • Access to tutoring;
  • Coaching;
  • Locker rooms;
  • Practice and competitive facilities; 
  • Medical and training facilities and services; and
  • Publicity.
    
    
• You have the right to have access to a gender equity coordinator to answer questions regarding gender
    equity laws.
  
  
• You have the right to contact the State Department of Education and the California Interscholastic
    Federation to access information on gender equity laws.
  
  
• You have the right to file a confidential discrimination complaint with the United States Department of
    Education Office for Civil Rights or the California 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.
  
  
• You have the right to pursue civil remedies if you have been discriminated against.
  
  
• You have the right to be protected against retaliation if you file a discrimination complaint.
   (California Education Code section 221.8.) 

For more information on your rights under Title IX please visit the following websites:

United States Department of Education Office of Civil Rights OCR 
OCR Resource Guide
The California Department of Education Office for Equal Opportunity and Access

Filing Complaints with the District

The District has the responsibility to investigate and respond promptly and effectively to sex-based discrimination complaints, including sexual harassment and sexual violence. If the District knows, or reasonably should know, about sex discrimination, it must take action to eliminate the sex discrimination, prevent its recurrence, and address its effects. For information on the discrimination complaint process, how to file a complaint with the District, and for the contact information for the District Title IX Officer, please click here.

Filing Complaints with External Governmental Agencies 

Individuals may also file a complaint with external governmental agencies. Complainants are not required to use the District complaint process. Complaints may also be filed with:

United States Department of Education Office of Civil Rights (OCR)
Local Office
San Francisco 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: ocr.sanfrancisco@ed.gov

How to File a Discrimination Complaint with the OCR

OCR Complaint Forms 
Know Your Rights: Title IX Prohibits Sexual Harassment and Sexual Violence Where You Go to School

U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
(Discrimination complaints related to employment)
Local Office
555 West Beech Street, Suite 504, San Diego, CA 92101 
Phone: 1-800-669-4000 
Fax: 619-557-7274 
TTY: 1-800-669-6820 
ASL Video Phone: 844-234-5122

California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH)
(Includes discrimination complaints related to employment, housing, business establishments, and hate violence)
Local Office 
320 West 4th Street, 10th Floor, Los Angeles CA, 90013
Telephone: 213-439-6799

For information or to file a complaint call the Communication Center at 800-884-1684 (voice), 800-700-2320 (TTY) or California’s Relay Service at 711

Statute of Limitations for Title IX Complaints

Complaints filed through the District’s complaint procedures alleging discrimination based on sex (including sexual harassment and sexual violence) pursuant to Title IX must be filed within the timelines specified in The District’s Unlawful Discrimination Administrative Procedures AP–3410, which states:

•   In any complaint not involving employment, the complaint must be filed within one year of the date of
     the alleged unlawful discrimination or within one year of the date on which the complainant knew or
     should have known of the facts underlying the allegation of unlawful discrimination.
  
  
•   In any complaint alleging discrimination in employment, the complaint shall be filed within 180 days of 
     the date the alleged unlawful discrimination occurred, except that this period may be extended by no
     more than 90 days following the expiration of the 180 days if the complainant first obtained knowledge
     of the facts of the alleged violation after the expiration of the 180 days.

External Governmental Agencies such as EEOC, DFEH, OCR, and state and federal courts have their own statute of limitations. If you wish to file an external complaint, be sure to check with the governmental agency for their statute of limitations.