On July, 20, 2021, the U.S. Department of Education’s (USDE) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) released a Q&A document highlighting procedures schools should take when responding to reports of sexual harassment, which follows policy based on 2020 amendments to the Title IX regulation. 

USDE also made public nearly 1,000 pages of testimony taken during a five-day June 2021 public hearing regarding the amendments, where several participants spoke about the rights of transgender students competing in same-sex sports. The Q&A does not specifically address the rights of students who identify as transgender, but it does explain schools’ obligations in responding to complaints of sex discrimination. 

The resources were made public while the USDE is conducting a comprehensive review of Title IX changes. That review will likely lead to proposed new rules. Until then, the 2020 amendments remain in effect.

Dive Insight:

In a statement, USDE said the Q&A aims to assist schools, students and others by highlighting areas in which schools may have discretion in their procedures for responding to reports of sexual harassment. The Q&A also includes examples of policy language — taken from a variety of schools across the country — for procedures in addressing reports and complaints of sexual harassment, including sexual violence, for both K-12 and postsecondary schools.

To access the Q&A document, click here.

Source: K12 Dive. Click here for the full article.