Chat with us, powered by LiveChat

Learn more about ATIXA's role in policy matters that impact our field.

Your one-stop-shop for regular updates on key legislation, policy news, and ways to support ATIXA's policy efforts

ATIXA’s Policy Platform

Executive Summary

The Association of Title IX Administrators (ATIXA) is a professional organization of 10,000 school and college Title IX coordinators, investigators, and administrators interested in serving their districts and campuses more effectively. It is ATIXA’s mission to address gender equity by bringing Title IX professionals together in collaboration to explore best practices, understand industry standards, share resources, and enhance the profession.

The purpose of this ATIXA policy platform is to identify the core issues and policies that ATIXA values as an organization. It creates a funnel through which ATIXA can determine what advocacy actions to take and what legislation and regulatory initiatives to initiate or support.

The ATIXA policy platform centers on advancing the goal of gender equity in education and, to that end, supports policies and actions in areas including: 

  • Title IX
  • Civil rights for underserved communities in educational institutions
  • Educational equity and school climate

While these are broad areas, our level of engagement on specific issues will vary. ATIXA will also annually establish a smaller set of legislative priorities within these areas that will be the primary focus of ATIXA’s policy work.

 

ATIXA Sponsored Bills

Sponsored by Representative Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ), this bill would establish a Gender Equity Commission for college sports which would compare how the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) operates men’s and women’s championship tournaments with respect to the treatment of the participating men’s and women’s teams.

Read Now!

Sponsored by Representative David Trone (D-MD)/Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), this bill would require the US Department of Education to establish an Advisory Commission on Serving and Supporting Students with Mental Health Disabilities in Institutions of Higher Education. The commission must conduct a study and report on:

  • Services available to students with mental health disabilities in college and the effectiveness of such services in supporting these students;
  • The impact of policies and procedures, such as reasonable accommodation and disciplinary policies, that help or hinder the goal of providing equal opportunity to these students;
  • The use of protected health information of these students by colleges;
  • The impact of providing mental health services on a student’s academic performance, well-being, and ability to complete college;
  • Conclusions on the major challenges facing these students; and
  • Recommendations to improve the overall education, retention, and graduation of these students

Read more about H.R.3451 and S.1665

Read Now!

Sponsored by Representative Doris Matsui (D-CA) and U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), this bill would provide additional resources, training, and technical assistance through the U.S. Department of Education to combat gender-based harassment and discrimination in education.

specifically, the bill:

  • Creates a new Office for Gender Equity within the U.S. Department of Education to coordinate Title IX activities in the Department and throughout other federal agencies,
  • Funds competitive grants for K-12 schools, colleges and universities, states, school districts, and other educational organizations to boost Title IX compliance programs, and
  • Provides Title IX coordinators and their allies with annual training, information, and best practices about Title IX compliance

 

Read Now!

A Message from Senator Mazie K. Hirono

A message from Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) in honor of the 50th Anniversary of Title IX. Senator Hirono honors the legacy of Title IX and the success of the law which fights for sex and gender equity in education. While looking forward to the next 50 years of Title IX, Senator Hirono reintroduced the Patsy T. Mink and Louise M. Slaughter Gender Equity in Education Act (S. 2186). The bill would support the implementation of Title IX by providing resources, funding, and training to those in higher education and K-12 support sex and gender equity in education and fully implement Title IX.

Detailed Policy Platform Efforts

Support clear and fair application of Title IX

To this end, ATIXA supports:

  • Protecting all students and employees, of any gender, from discrimination on the basis of sex
  • Designating a school-based Title IX administrator to oversee Title IX compliance
  • Institutions providing training and resources to support Title IX coordinators’ advancement of gender equity in education
  • Ensuring equitable access in academic and other areas, including STEM courses, school-related extracurricular activities, scholarships, and research opportunities
  • Protecting the rights of pregnant and parenting students to stay in school and have equitable educational opportunities
  • Ensuring students have equal opportunities to participate in athletics and related activities 
  • Ensuring students and employees have adequate protection against sex-based harassment and assault, including requiring schools take immediate and appropriate action in cases of sexual violence and harassment that creates a hostile environment
  • Determining when single-sex education and programs/activities  are permissible and when it is discriminatory and based on gender stereotypes
  • Ensuring transgender students have the right to equal access to educational opportunities, including access to activities and facilities consistent with their gender identity

Support laws, policies, and activities that promote nondiscrimination based on protected classes such as race, sex, disability, and gender identity in education

To this end, ATIXA supports intersectional approaches to the resolution of complaints of discrimination by schools and prohibiting discrimination:

  • On the basis of race, color, or national origin in any educational program or activity
  • Based on sex in educational programs and activities
  • Against transgender and gender-diverse students
  • Based on disability in education

Support equitable, healthy, and safe school environments

To this end, ATIXA supports:

  • Providing targeted mental health services, particularly those that support students who have been impacted by discrimination or abuse
  • Advancing policies that promote positive school climates that are inclusive and free from discrimination
  • Requiring educational institutions to establish a comprehensive approach to student mental health, which can include behavioral intervention teams to support student well-being and safety
  • Increasing resources for professional development and training for school staff who provide student support services and enforce civil rights compliance
  • Offering comprehensive, age-appropriate prevention education and training for students and employees

News & Events

Policy Corner: Higher Education Mental Health Act

ATIXA endorses the Higher Education Mental Health Act. The bill would require the U.S. Department of Education to establish an Advisory Commission on Serving and Supporting Students with Mental Health Disabilities in Institutions of Higher Education.

Read More

Policy Corner: Gender Equity in Education Act

ATIXA is pleased to support GEEA, as it would create a new Office for Gender Equity within the U.S. Department of Education to coordinate Title IX activities within the Department and throughout other federal agencies.

Read More

Policy Corner: GEEA Press Release

ATIXA President Daniel C. Swinton is quoted in Sen. Hirono’s press release.

Read More

Array

View the 50th Anniversary Virtual Congressional Briefing

For the 50th Anniversary of Title IX, ATIXA and our members were honored to collaborate with the Democratic Women's Caucus in a Virtual Congressional Briefing. To view a recording of this historical event, click below.

Watch Now!
Array

ATIXA Written Submission to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights

How to Fix Title IX

Read Now
Array

ATIXA Written Submission to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights

2020 Regulations, a Line by Line Commentary

Read Now
Array

ATIXA's Verbal Comments: June 11, 2021 Title IX Live Hearings

Brett A. Sokolow, J.D., President of ATIXA spoke at the live hearings

Read Now
Array

ATIXA Written Submission to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights

Increasing Protections for Students, Loan Repayment, Targeted Loan Cancellation Programs, and Other Higher Education Regulations

Read Now
Array

ATIXA's Verbal Comments: June 21, 2021 Title IX Live Hearings

Ryan Thompson, Esq., Affiliated Consultant, Publications Committee, and ATIXA Member spoke at the live hearings

Read Now

Want to Help with ATIXA’s Legislative Efforts?

Search for the contact information for your Senators to write in your support now.

Search for your Senators Now

Search for the contact information for your Representatives write in your support now.

Search for your Representative Now