Is your school treating female athletes fairly? Not sure? Follow these sixteen steps and find out if your school or college complies with Title IX rules. If it isn't up to par, this practical plan will help your reach your goal of gender equality.
PREPARATION Step One: Do Your Homework, Then Grade Your School Download the Title IX checklist. You'll need to complete the entire form to see exactly how your school is measuring up to Title IX's legal requirements. Once you've filled in answers to all the questions, you can use our School Report Card here at Geena Takes Aim to calculate your school's score.
Step Two: Gather the FactsIf your school is violating Title IX, you'll want to research and write down every valid instance where you've identified a disparity between male and female sports programs, or their funding. Be sure your list includes at least one specific example for each instance of non-compliance. To strengthen your position, take this list with you to any meetings you'll be attending and always enclose a copy in any correspondence in which you voice your concerns.
Step Three: Rally A Strong TeamIf your school isn't complying with Title IX, chances are you're not the only one feeling shortchanged. It's important to gather the support of your parents or legal guardian, your friends, your teammates, your teammates' parents and anyone else who is willing to get involved. Talk to your "support team," show them what you've learned and make sure they know what Title IX requires. Get as much assistance as possible—at every step of the way. Yes, there is strength in numbers.
Step Four: Prepare Your CaseIt may be hard to believe that your school administrators don't know what the law requires. Help educate them by carefully preparing your case. Have copies of all your research ready to give to each person with whom you'll be eventually be meeting. This should include copies of:
- The graded School Report Card
- Your list of examples of non-compliance, and
- The guide to Title IX, "Playing Fair."
"Playing Fair," A Guide to Title IX in High School & College Sports," a Women's Sports Foundation publication explains all about this federal requirement. Always keep a copy of handy to help back up your campaign for gender equity with the plain facts.
Note: You can link to a PDF version of "Playing Fair" at the end of this article, or purchase it in booklet form from our online Store.
VERY IMPORTANT: Keep copies of everything. Be conscientious about creating a record of every attempt you've made to address gender discrimination. Keep a separate set for each meeting or conversation. And don't forget to document phone calls by taking down notes. You may need to show this "history" later on. If you delay it will be very difficult, if not impossible, to accurately reconstruct everything that has happened.
Step Five: Make a Paper TrailPlan ahead to keep a complete record of your efforts. Be thorough. Once you start asking for meetings with officials, be sure to write down the name and title of everyone who attended. After each meeting you must follow-up with a thank-you letter--even if you don't feel very appreciated. Each letter should repeat your concerns and restate anything that was decided, or promised, to you during your meeting. In your letter, indicate which person made which agreement or decision.
MEETINGS, LETTERS AND PHONE CALLS
Step Six: Educate the EducatorsYou're prepared and ready to go. It's time to approach your school's decision-makers and show them how Title IX's rules are not being met. If possible, include teammates, teachers, parents or other supporters in your meetings. Having a whole team behind you will help convince administrators that it's only right to abide by the law. Be polite and concentrate on the facts. Even though you might feel angry at different times—do not get angry with any school officials. You must always assume that everyone you meet with will want to do the right thing.
Step Seven: Talk with the Athletic DirectorBegin by meeting with your school's athletic director. Tell her/him about the research you've been doing, explain what you found and why you believe the school is not complying with the law. Make sure you leave a copy of your graded Report Card and a copy of Playing Fair. Afterwards follow up with a thank-you letter to the athletic director that repeats your concerns. If you are unhappy with the outcome of the meeting, send a copy ("cc:") of your letter to the school principal.
Step Eight: Meet with the Principal or College PresidentIf you are unsuccessful in your talk with the athletic director, work your way up the administrative ladder and schedule a meeting with the principal or college president. During this next meeting, be sure to review the earlier discussion you had with the athletic director and say why you believe it was unsuccessful. Bring your paperwork along and be straightforward in talking about the issues of gender equality and fair play.
Step Nine: Contact the Title IX Compliance Officer If both your athletic director and your principal or college president are unresponsive, you can file a complaint. To do that, you should contact the school's Title IX compliance officer. (The law requires that every school have one). One way to get their name, address and phone number is to call the principal's or college president's office. Call the compliance officer and find out the procedure for filing an official Title IX complaint. If things get a little technical at this point, the Foundation can help through the steps.
Read more of
The Step-by-Step Guide To Assessing and Getting Gender Equity.
Remember, you can contact the Women's Sports Foundation at any step of the way to discuss your situation and get help. E-mail our Advocacy Department or call us on our toll-free number 1-800-227-3988.