Title IX - Sex Based Nondiscrimination Statute and Senate Bill 1375

For more information, go to https://achieve.lausd.net/Page/3654
 
Each student and employee has a right to learn and work in an environment that is free from unlawful discrimination. No District student or employee shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination on the basis of actual or perceived sex, sexual orientation, gender, or gender identity or expression.

Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 is one of several federal and state anti-discrimination laws that ensure equality in education. Title IX prohibits discrimination, harassment, exclusion, denial, limitation or separation based on sex or gender. Title IX applies to both male and female students in any educational institution receiving federal funding.
 
Pregnant students and teen parents have a right to equal education, full participation, and to enroll in any school or program for which they would otherwise qualify at any stage of the pregnancy.  They have the right to remain in their regular or current school program, including elementary or secondary schools, honors and magnet programs, special education and non-public school placements, alternative/options programs, migrant education, free and reduced lunch programs and services for English Learners, and any others for which they are otherwise qualified. This would also include participation in the following: graduation, awards, ceremonies; field trips; student clubs, councils, after-school activities, and any other school-related programs. Students cannot legally be expelled, suspended, or otherwise excluded from, or required to participate in school programs solely on the basis of their pregnancy-related conditions, or marital or parental status.

California Education Code Sections 200 through 282 and Los Angeles Unified School District Board Policy prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, sexual orientation or gender. Title IX requires that every school district or institution have a Title IX/Bullying Complaint Manager to whom concerns or complaints regarding sex discrimination can be made.

Complaint Process
Students or parents/guardians should report their verbal or written Title IX complaint to the school administrator or Title IX/Bullying Complaint Manager within six months from the date the alleged incident occurred or first obtained knowledge. Complainants have a right to a timely and informal resolution at the school site.

If the complainant is dissatisfied with the school-site or Local District decision, the complainant may file a written Uniform Complaint Procedures (UCP) complaint directly with the Educational Equity Compliance Office. This will begin the investigation process which must be completed within 60 days.  An appeal of the Educational Equity Compliance Office's findings may be made to the California Department of Education - Office of Equal Opportunity.
 
Assistant Principals Stephanie Slaughter and John Ford are the administrators in charge of Title IX compliance at Cleveland. Ms. Slaughter's office phone is (818) 885-2309, and Mr. Ford's is (818) 885-2310.