Purpose: To systematically examine the institutional values and campus recreational policies and practices of all Big 10 institutions to determine whether equitable physical activity opportunities are being provided. Approach: Websites were systematically searched, and data extracted were analyzed using thematic analysis. Findings: Community…

Purpose: A significant and growing body of LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer) research examines the experiences of students, employees, and the substance of leadership training. This project aims to complement this work by taking a macro-level look at the broader legal and policy issues that may constrain or enhance a school…

The current debate swirling around the inclusion of transgender individuals in sports is a complex and nuanced issue. This article reflects on how athletic organizations have historically dealt with this dilemma, as well as covers key legal battles that have surfaced in recent years in secondary schools and universities across America. With the…

This multiple case study analyzes institutional responses to sex and gender bias incidents in student athletics programs and messaging around inclusion and antidiscrimination between 2015 and 2019. This study seeks to uncover, understand, and work to transform the embedded institutional values that harm sex and gender minority (SGM) students on…

Since 2010, California passed three laws that address the safety and inclusion of transgender students. Seth's Law (SB 48), the Fair, Accurate, Inclusive, and Respectful (FAIR) Education Act (AB 9) and The School Success and Opportunity Act (AB 1266). The policies of 10 large urban districts in and around the San Francisco Bay Area were analyzed…

Critics of the implementation of Title IX at institutions of higher education (IHEs) argue that due process in the investigation and adjudication of sexual misconduct is severely lacking. In response, the Office for Civil Rights proposed amended regulations in November 2018 that require a greater focus on the due process rights of the accused (the…

Time and again research has shown that schools in which students feel safe and included promote academic achievement and overall student health (see, for example, Greytak, Kosciw, Villenas, & Giga, 2016; Michael, Merlo, Basch, Wentzel, & Wechsler, 2015). Parent networks, community organizations, and school boards nationwide continuously…

The purpose of this study was to examine the approaches used by directors in divisions of student affairs to initiate and sustain change. Determining the common and most effective approaches to change used by directors was a second purpose. Additionally, the researcher was interested in common change initiatives taking place and other factors that…

Transgender and nonbinary (collectively referred to here as "trans") students are ill-served by most school environments. They experience challenges trying to navigate institutions that, at best, are poorly designed to support them and that often work against them. Although some districts and states have developed laws and policies to…

The purpose of this "Equity by Design" brief is to aid administrators in protecting sexual and gender minority students from discrimination and harassment. Specifically, this Brief presents Title IX's conceptualizations of sex and harassment to identify who is protected, and from what. Further, it discusses how to navigate backlash…

Shifts in the visibility and recognition of LGBTQ+ identity have been accompanied by an evolution in understanding how educational policies, curricula, and environments impact well-being, health, and academic success. Since 2015, landmark decisions by the U.S. Supreme Court recognizing same-sex marriage and expansively defining sex under…

This resource collection features a selection of Office for Civil Rights (OCR) guidance and resources that may be useful to elementary and secondary schools throughout the school year. For each resource, there is a brief description and a link to full information online. Each topic area includes a combination of specific and general resources.

As the federal entity in charge of enforcing civil rights law, the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) plays a critical role in addressing the vast inequities that exist in U.S. education. Through an analysis of the policy guidance OCR issued for a number of areas during the Obama administration, we illustrate the agency's…

June 23, 2022 marks the 50th anniversary of the passage of Title IX. This federal civil rights law has been credited with profoundly changing education in the United States by barring sex discrimination in the nation's schools. Title IX, along with other equity laws, helped to unlock access to educational and athletic opportunities, paving the way…

The components within this Strategic Plan reflect the Administration's and Department's priorities for the direction of the Department and the future of education in the nation. The priorities, such as improving educational equity and meeting the needs of students, are highlighted and woven throughout this Strategic Plan and require…