ATTACKS ON TITLE IX

On Feb. 29, 1984, the Supreme Court ruled in the Grove College vs. Bell Case. The Court's decision so limits the scope of Title IX protection that it is necessary for the Congress to act and pass legislation to restore the Title IX protections that were intended when that law was passed in 1972.

By a 6 to 3 vote, the Court adopted the position of the Reagan Justice Department which limits Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 to specific programs within an institution that received direct federal financial assistance. Congress intended Title IX to apply to an entire institution. If one department of an educational institution was not in compliance with the law, then the entire institution would be out of compliance. It is difficult to see how any other interpretation would be consistent with the purpose of Title IX. Without total coverage, institutions would be allowed to pick and choose federal aid programs, but ignore the requirements for equal access and protection of women students and faculty incorporated in Title IX.

The Grove City College decision, if unchallenged, would result in a much narrower interpretation of Title IX and would deal a terrible blow not only to equal opportunity for women students but to equal employment opportunity for women teachers and professors.

RESOLVED, that the American Federation of Teachers urges the U.S. Congress to adopt legislation that will overturn the Grove City College decision and re-establish Title IX protections throughout all institutions that accept federal funds.