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U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings announced on Oct. 24, 2006, the release of new, final Title IX regulations that provide school districts with additional flexibility to establish single-sex classes, extracurricular activities and schools at the elementary and secondary education levels.
The new regulations amend existing regulations that implement Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and prohibit sex discrimination in education programs or activities that receive federal funds. The new regulations permit communities to establish single-sex schools and classes as another means of meeting the needs of students; establish that enrollment in a single sex class should be a completely voluntary option for students and their families; and uphold the prohibitions against discrimination of Title IX. The final regulations were published in the Federal Register on Oct. 25, 2006 and will take effect Nov. 24, 2006.
Title IX regulations have always permitted school districts to provide public single-sex elementary and secondary schools, under certain circumstances. The new regulations expand upon this exception and make it easier to offer single-sex classes, activities or schools, while ensuring that students of both sexes are treated in a manner that will satisfy the nondiscrimination requirements of Title IX. The new regulations do not require single-sex education, but make it easier for educators to offer the programs, and for parents and students to choose, single-sex educational opportunities, while upholding nondiscrimination requirements. Enrollment in a single-sex class must be completely voluntary and a substantially equal co-educational class in the same subject must be provided.
More information on the new regulations is available on the USDE Web site.
Posted: 10/25/2006
