Title IX of the Education Act of 1972
provides that no person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.
Experts in Title IX
When it comes to partnering with schools and institutions to address discrimination and harassment on the basis of sex under Title IX, our founders and directors are leaders in the field. Our practitioners have experience partnering with institutions to strengthen their Title IX programs, resolve incidents, and train staff and students in legally compliant, trauma-informed practices.
Title IX Services
What to Know
In January 2025 the 2024 Title IX regulations were vacated, and institutions resumed operating under the 2020 Title IX rules, emphasizing formal grievance procedures and a narrower definitions of harassment.
Under the auspices of Title IX, the Department of Education considers a school’s decision to treat someone consistent with their gender identity as possible sex discrimination; for example, ED says that allowing transgender women to compete on women’s sports teams is discriminatory against women. Recent agency activities, including in Maine, New York, and Minnesota, reflect the ongoing efforts of this administration to eliminate protections for students based on gender identity and to reject that gender identity is a protected category under federal civil rights laws.
Still, many state civil rights laws provide protections against discrimination or harassment on the basis of gender identity in the workplace or places of public accommodation.
As of this writing, no federal laws forbid such protections at the state level. But the implementation of those protections in school or on campus may ultimately run afoul of federal expectations, particularly when related to participation in sex separated athletics or access to facilities such as locker rooms or bathrooms.
This dichotomy between federal and many state regulations make Title IX compliance even trickier. But, confidently employing a systematic approach can greatly reduce risk and alleviate stress.
Guide to Title IX Compliance
The List
The Tools
- Convene discussions with campus partners, legal counsel, and leadership about the shifting equity landscape and the potential impact to the community. Proactively determine steps required to augment process, procedures and communications plans to comply with the law while remaining responsive to the unique needs and values of your community.
- Review and refine your Title IX sexual harassment and sex discrimination policies and grievance procedures in accordance with the 2020 rules.
- Ensure your Title IX Coordinator is properly trained and supported with adequate staffing, resources, and authority.
- Develop and follow a standardized, legally compliant process for responding to formal complaints and offering supportive measures.
- Conduct outreach and education to your school community—students, faculty, and staff—about their rights under Title IX and how to report concerns.
- Provide targeted, role-specific Title IX training for employees, decision-makers, investigators, and advisors.
- Track and document every step of the complaint and resolution process. Documentation is critical under the 2020 rules.
- Be proactive. Inaction or procedural missteps can result in harm to your community, plus investigations, litigation, and reputational harm.
If your institution lacks the staff, legal expertise, or capacity to manage Title IX requirements effectively, interim or long-term support can help meet your obligations and reduce liability.
Budget constraints? We’re here to help you weigh the cost and value of internal vs. external resources.
