Margarito J, Garcia, III, Ph.D.

Aicragjm1205@aol.com
Dear Colleagues,

The U.S. Department of Education today announced that its Office for Civil Rights has reached an
agreement with the Chicago Public Schools to ensure that Illinois largest school district complies with Title
IX, the federal law that prohibits sex discrimination in education.
OCRs investigation revealed significant disparities between the enrollment of female students and their
participation in high school interscholastic athletics at the majority of district high schools. OCR determined
that 6,200 additional athletic participation opportunities would be available if girls enrollment and
participation were proportionate.
"With this resolution agreement, the district has committed to provide, on a school by school basis, an equal
opportunity for high school girls to participate in interscholastic athletics at all 98 high schools," said
Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Catherine E. Lhamon. "I am delighted that the new accountability
measures put in place by the district, including a new Title IX Sports Compliance Coordinator, new sports
participation database, and new website that provides a description of sports offerings at each high school
and a process for students to request additional sports opportunities, will help ensure equal athletic
opportunity for another 6,200 Chicago girls and equal opportunity in school for all Chicago students.
Under the terms of the agreement with OCR, the district will add participation opportunities at a minimum of
12 high schools beginning as early as fall 2015. Thereafter, based on a comprehensive assessment of the
interests and abilities of its students, the district will add new sports, levels of competition (e.g., varsity,
junior varsity, sophomore, freshman) or squads each season until each high school has demonstrated
compliance with Title IX. The agreement requires compliance to be demonstrated no later than the 2018-19
school year.
Title IX compliance does not require the cutting of sports, teams, or other athletic opportunities.
OCR will closely monitor the districts implementation of the agreement to ensure that the commitments
made are implemented in a timely and effective manner and results in equal athletic opportunities for the
female students. OCR will not close its monitoring until OCR determines that the district has fulfilled the
terms of the agreement and is in compliance with the provisions of Title IX that were at issue in this case.
You can find the resolution letter here and the agreement here.

Thank you,

Office for Civil Rights

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