On June 23, 1972, Title IX, an unprecedented effort to end sex discrimination in education, became the law of the land.
While most famous for its requirement that schools provide girls with equal athletic opportunities, the law applies to all
educational programs that receive federal funding, and to all aspects of a school's educational system. Title IX benefits both
males and females and is the lynchpin of thirty-five years of efforts to promote and establish gender equity in schools.
In the generation since the prohibition on sex discrimination in schools became the law of the land, it has thrown open doors
for women and girls seeking to participate in higher education, in athletics, in math and science, and in vocational
education.
Despite the tremendous gains made by female athletes, their current participation in intercollegiate sports remains below
pre-Title IX male participation. While more than 170,000 men played college sports in 1971, only about 166,000 women play
college sports today. While 53% of the students at Division I schools are women, female athletes in Division I receive just
32% of the funds to recruit new athletes, 37% of total athletics expenditures, 45% of total athletic scholarships, and 44%
of the opportunities to play intercollegiate sports.
Learning Activity
During Women's History Month, assign students to write a report of at least 150 words that addresses the essential
question for the Leading Issue: Title IX - "Should Title IX be removed from college sports?" (See the pathfinder below to
access this issue).
Students should select either a Pro or Con position and cite at least three resources in their reports. ProQuest provides four
unique models to promote differentiated instruction. Click
the "Research Guides" link in the tool bar within the opened issue to see the choices:
Writing a Research Paper
Writing a Mini-Research Paper (student and teacher management versions)
Creating a PowerPoint Presentation
Creating a Mini-Debate (student and teacher management versions)
Pathfinder
SIRS Issues Researcher > Click Visual Browse > Select "Drugs, Health, and Wellness" > Sports > Title IX
Students should be aware of the Leading Issues Notes Organizer (see icon next to Research Guides) that is available in this
and all opened issues. This unique tool helps students to organize their thoughts along with the information that they
access on this issue.
