DEPARTMENT
OF EDUCATION
P.O.
SUPTS. MEMO NO. 216
October 21, 2005
INFORMATIONAL
|
TO: |
Division Superintendents |
|
FROM: |
Jo Lynne DeMary Superintendent of Public Instruction |
|
SUBJECT: |
Technical Assistance for Title IX Coordinators-- Ensuring Equal Access to Quality Education |
One
requirement of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the federal law
that prohibits sex discrimination in education for all institutions, is that
every state and local education agency appoint a Title IX designee responsible
for the implementation of this law and receive training to help them meet their
obligations. Title IX also includes
student-on-student sexual harassment in schools as a subject of discrimination
complaints.
The
Virginia Department of Education (VDOE), with the assistance of the U.S. Department
of Education District of Columbias Office for Civil Rights and the
Wednesday, December 7, 2005, at the
(804) 379-3800, located at
Thursday, December 8, 2005, at the
*Each forum is
accessible to individuals with disabilities.
Both
forums will begin at 9 a.m. and conclude at 3:30 p.m. A limited number of rooms are available at
each facility at the state rate. However, the VDOE will not reimburse
participants travel expenses. Please
complete and return the attached registration form (Attachment A) no
later than November 28, 2005. Each Title IX coordinator is encouraged
to attend one of these forums.
Directions and hotel information are provided in Attachment B.
Title IX
requires school divisions to have well-published policies against
discrimination, including sexual harassment, and to have procedures for
students and their families to raise and resolve issues concerning
discrimination. The informational forums
will provide a brief overview of fundamental civil rights issues and Title IX
regulatory requirements. Additionally,
Title IX coordinators will receive guidance on grievance procedure requirements
and investigating Title IX complaints.
We look
forward to working with Title IX coordinators to ensure compliance with the
requirements and equal access to quality education. For more information, you
may contact
Dr.
Sandra E. Ruffin, Sandra.Ruffin@doe.virginia.gov,
director of federal program monitoring, at (804) 225-2768, or you
may contact Dr. Bondy Shay Gibson, Bondy.Gibson@doe.virginia.gov,
monitoring specialist, at (804) 225-2618.
JLD/SER/bsg
Attachments
http://www.doe.virginia.gov/administrators/superintendents_memos/2005/inf216a.doc
http://www.doe.virginia.gov/administrators/superintendents_memos/2005/inf216b.pdf