The U.S. Department of Education recently released new
Title IX requirements that will become effective Friday, August 14, 2020. The Title IX Final Rule defines sexual
harassment (including sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking)
as unlawful sex discrimination, and requires supportive measures for every
alleged victim. The U.S. Department of Education previously addressed
sexual harassment through non-legally binding guidance documents, but has
promulgated regulations that impose important legal obligations on public
school districts and charter schools.
To assist public school districts and charter schools in
updating sexual harassment policies to comply with the new Final Rule, the
Equity Assistance Center has developed the attached, “Title IX Sexual Harassment: Getting Started Checklist.”
This non-exhaustive list should serve as a starting point for reviewing and
updating policies.
The Arkansas School Board’s Association has provided
revised model policies 3.26, 4.27, and 8.20, to reflect the new requirements.
School districts and charter schools that do not adopt these policies should
use the Checklist and seek guidance, if needed, to update local policies.
The following is a list of resources made available by the U.S.
Department of Education regarding the new Title IX regulations:
1. Title
IX Final Rule Overview
https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/titleix-overview.pdf
2. Title
IX Summary of Major Provisions of the Department of Education’s Title IX Final
Rule
https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/titleix-summary.pdf
3. OCR
Webinar: Title IX Regulations Addressing
Sexual Harassment The webinar provides an overview of the
new Title IX regulations and is recommended for Title IX Coordinators,
Superintendents, and school administrators.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdfT5R8ibm4&feature=youtu.be