Title IX, Harassment, Intimidation, Discrimination and Bullying Policy
Title IX Information and Grievance Procedures (see below for Arts in Action's Policy and Procedures)
What is Title IX?
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (“Title IX”) is a federal law that states:"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."
Arts in Action Community Charter Schools/Schools in Action does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, disability, religion or sexual orientation. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits discrimination on these bases in our schools. Title IX protects all female, male, transgender or nonconforming students and team members in any educational entity that receives federal funds. State law also prohibits discrimination based on gender (sex), gender expression, gender identity, and sexual orientation. Title IX prohibition of sex discrimination includes protections against discrimination based on sex stereotypes, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Discrimination on the basis of sex can include sexual harassment and sexual violence. Sexual harassment includes verbal, visual or physical conduct of a sexual nature which may have a negative impact upon the victim’s academic or work performance or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive educational/work environment.
In addition to Title IX, the California Education Code prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in schools. (California Education Code §§ 220-221.1).) Other state and federal laws also prohibit discrimination and ensure equality in education.
For more information and resources from the California Department of Education, click here: https://www.cde.ca.gov/re/di/eo/genequitytitleix.asp
The following is information regarding your rights and responsibilities regarding filing a Title IX Complaint.
Title IX Coordinator Contact Information
All complaints should be sent to our Title IX Coordinator, who can be reached at:
Maria Ramirez
5261 ½ E Beverly Blvd
East Los Angeles, CA 90022
(213) 453-6030
Your Rights and Responsibilities Under Title IX
Rights Accorded Under California Education Code Section 221.8:
The following list of rights, which are based on the relevant provisions of the federal regulations implementing Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. Sec. 1681 et seq.), may be used by the department for purposes of Section 221.6:
(a) You have the right to fair and equitable treatment and you shall not be discriminated against based on your sex.
(b) You have the right to be provided with an equitable opportunity to participate in all academic extracurricular activities and athletics offered by Arts in Action Community Charter Schools.
(c) You have the right to inquire of the athletic director of your school as to the athletic opportunities offered by Arts in Action Community Charter Schools.
(d) You have the right to apply for athletic scholarships.
(e) You have the right to receive equitable treatment and benefits in the provision of all of the following:
- Equipment and supplies.
- Scheduling of games and practices.
- Transportation and daily allowances.
- Access to tutoring.
- Locker rooms.
- Practice and competitive facilities.
- Medical and training facilities and services.
(f) You have the right to have access to our Title IX Coordinator regarding gender equity laws. Please see above for this Coordinator’s contact information.
(g) You have the right to file a confidential discrimination complaint with the United States Office for Civil Rights or California Department of Education if you believe you have been discriminated against or if you believe you have received unequal treatment on the basis of your sex. See below for more information regarding how to file a complaint.
(h) You have the right to pursue civil remedies if you have been discriminated against.
(i) You have the right to be protected against retaliation if you file a discrimination complaint.
(j) You can find out more information regarding your rights, Arts in Action Community Charter Schools’ responsibilities, and access information on gender equity laws from the following resources:
- California Interscholastic Federation: http://www.cifstate.org/governance/equity/index
- LAUSD Title IX - Sex Based Nondiscrimination Statute:http://achieve.lausd.net/Page/3654
- California Department of Education, Office for Equal Opportunity: http://www.cde.ca.gov/re/di/eo/dutytoprotect.asp
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California Department of Education Gender Equity/Title IX: https://www.cde.ca.gov/re/di/eo/genequitytitleix.asp
- United States Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights: https://www2.ed.gov/policy/rights/guid/ocr/sex.html
How to File a Complaint Under Title IX
While submission of a written report is not required, the reporting party is encouraged to submit a written report to the Coordinator. Oral reports shall also be considered official reports. Reports may be made anonymously, but formal disciplinary action cannot be based solely on an anonymous report.
Arts in Action Charter Schools acknowledges and respects every individual’s right to privacy. All reports shall be investigated in a manner that protects the confidentiality of the parties and the integrity of the process. This includes keeping the identity of the reporter confidential, as appropriate, except to the extent necessary to carry out the investigation and/or to resolve the issue, as determined by the Coordinator or administrative designee on a case-by-case basis.
Arts in Action Charter Schools prohibits any form of retaliation against any reporter in the reporting process, including but not limited to a reporter’s filing of a complaint or the reporting of instances of misconduct prohibited by this Policy. Such participation shall not in any way affect the status, grades, or work assignments of the reporter.
(a) You can find more information regarding how to file a complaint as follows:
- The United States Office for Civil Rights website: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/howto.html?src=rt.
- California Department of Education website: http://www.cde.ca.gov/re/di/eo/complaint.asp
- Arts in Action Community Charter Schools’ Uniform Complaint Procedures (“UCP”) or Title IX/Harassment/Intimidation/Discrimination/Bullying Policy. Please see the school office manager for a complete copy of these policies.
(b) A complaint regarding discrimination or harassment based on sex must ordinarily be filed with the U.S. Office for Civil Rights within 180 days of the last act of discrimination. If your complaint involves matters that occurred longer than this and you are requesting a waiver, you will be asked to show good cause why you did not file your complaint within the 180-day period. If you have questions about your situation, you can contact the California branch of the Office for Civil Rights at the address listed below. A complaint filed with Arts in Action under our UCP alleging unlawful discrimination, harassment, intimidation or bullying must be initiated no later than six (6) months from the date when the alleged unlawful discrimination, harassment, intimidation or bullying occurred, or six (6) months from the date when the complainant first obtained knowledge of the facts of the alleged unlawful discrimination, harassment, intimidation or bullying.
(c) The U.S. Office for Civil Rights has its own policies and procedures for investigating complaints. Please review the above link for more information about this process. A complaint filed with Arts in Action under our UCP or Title IX/ Harassment/ Intimidation/ Discrimination/ Bullying policy will be investigated in compliance with those policies.
(d) There are a variety of ways to file your complaint. You can use the U.S. Office for Civil Rights electronic complaint form filed directly through their website; or mail, email, or send by facsimile your own letter or a completed copy of the Office for Civil Rights Discrimination Complaint Form.
- The electronic complaint form is available at https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/complaintintro.html
- You can send a completed version of this form or your own letter via email, facsimile, or regular mail to the following addresses:
San Francisco Office
Office for Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Education
50 United Nations Plaza
Mail Box 1200, Room 1545
San Francisco, CA 94102
Telephone: 415-486-5555
FAX: 415-486-5570; TDD: 800-877-8339
Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
To file a UCP or complaint under our Title IX/ Harassment/ Intimidation/ Discrimination/ Bullying complaint directly with Arts in Action Community Charter Schools, please follow procedures set forth in those policies.