(Peoria Journal Star)—The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights launched investigations into Chicago Public Schools, the Illinois State Board of Education and Deerfield Public Schools on March 20 for alleged sex discrimination.
Here’s what we know.
Why is the DOE launching these investigations?
The investigations are based on complaints filed with the Office for Civil Rights, according to an Education Department press release. These include complaints filed by the Defense of Freedom Institute and Liberty Justice Center.
The press release says the public schools and state board of education violated Title IX “by requiring girls in the school to share their locker room with a boy.”
The school administrator reportedly told the females that the student in question identified as a female and, therefore, was permitted to use the female facilities.
What is Title IX?
Title IX protects individuals from exclusion or discrimination on the basis of sex under any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.
Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Craig Trainor said in the Education Department release that Title IX’s “regulations have long reflected the common sense practice of schools providing separate intimate facilities for males and females.”
Title IX investigations
Title IX investigations typically consist of about 2-12 months of conducting interviews and gathering evidence, according to Equal Rights Advocates. Complaintants are then given a summary statement and a chance to respond before an official hearing takes place.
The hearing officer or committee will then issue its findings, against which the respondent may file an appeal.