The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) enforces, among other statutes, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. Title IX protects people from discrimination based on sex in education programs or activities that receive Federal financial assistance.

Title IX 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. Sex discrimination under Title IX includes sexual harassment and sexual violence. Sexual Harassment is defined as conduct on the basis of sex that satisfies one or more of the following: 

1. An employee of the recipient conditioning the provision of an aid, benefit, or service on an individual’s participation in unwelcome sexual conduct.
2. Any unwelcome conduct determined by a reasonable person to be so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it effectively denies a person equal access to the recipient’s education program or activity.
3. Sexual assault (as defined in the Clery Act), dating violence, domestic violence, or stalking as defined in the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).

The school district’s commitment to nondiscrimination extends to students, employees, prospective employees and the community.

Title IX concerns should be brought to the attention of the Title IX Coordinator. Inquiries regarding compliance with Title IX may be made to Equal Rights and Opportunities Director, or to the Director of Civil Rights, Department of Health, Education, Welfare, Washington, D.C.

The Southern Lehigh School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex, disability or any other legally protected classification in the employment or in the administration of any of its educational programs and activities. Announcement of this policy is in accordance with state and federal laws including Title IV of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, Sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act. All inquiries concerning this policy/questions regarding specific programs, services and facilities for the handicapped should be directed to the district equal rights, Title IX officer, Southern Lehigh School District, 5775 Main Street, Center Valley, PA at 610-282-3121.