Athletic Opportunities and Benefits

Proposed Athletics Regulations

On April 6, 2023, the U.S. Department of Education released proposed changes to its Title IX Regulations on Students’ Eligibility for Athletic Teams.  The proposed changes were published in the Federal Register on April 13, 2023, thus beginning the 30 day public comment period.  The public comment period closed on May 15, 2023. 

The Department’s rulemaking process for a Title IX regulation related to athletics is on hold. 

Equal Athletic Opportunities 

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits discrimination based on sex in education programs and activities, including athletic programs, that receive Federal financial assistance.  Schools that receive Federal funding have a responsibility under Title IX to provide equal athletic opportunities to all students, regardless of sex. Title IX requires schools to effectively accommodate the athletic interests and abilities of their students, regardless of sex, and provide equal opportunity in the benefits, opportunities, and treatment provided for their athletic teams.

The following factors are considered when determining whether male and female students are provided with equivalent benefits, opportunities, and treatment: 

• Whether the selection of sports and level of competition accommodate the interests and abilities of members of both sexes
• The provision and maintenance of equipment and supplies
• Scheduling of game and practice time
• Travel and per diem allowances
• Opportunity to receive coaching and academic tutoring
• Assignment and compensation of coaches and tutors
• Provision of locker rooms, practice and competitive facilities
• Provision of medical and training facilities and services
• Provision of housing and dining facilities and services
• Publicity

Additionally, if schools or districts provide athletic financial assistance, they must provide reasonable opportunities for such awards for members of each sex in substantial proportion to the number of students of each sex participating in interscholastic or intercollegiate athletics.

Guidance

Intercollegiate Athletics Policy Clarification: The Three-Part Test - Part Three

On December 11, 1979, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) issued additional guidance on the Title IX intercollegiate athletic regulatory requirements through the 1979 Policy Interpretation.  The 1979 Policy Interpretation set out a three-part test that the OCR uses to assess whether an institution is effectively accommodating the athletic interests and abilities of its students to the extent necessary to provide equal athletic opportunity. On January 16, 1996, the OCR issued the Clarification of Intercollegiate Athletics Policy Guidance:  The Three-Part Test (1996 Clarification) to provide additional clarification on all parts of the three part test, including the specific factors that OCR uses to evaluate compliance under Part Three of the Three-Part Test.  July 11, 2003, Further Clarification of Intercollegiate Athletics Policy Guidance Regarding Title IX Compliance was issued.

In 2005, OCR issued Additional Clarification regarding application of the indicators in the 1996 Clarification that guided OCR's analysis of Part Three.  The accompanying User's Guide included a prototype survey instrument (model survey) that institutions could use to measure student interest in participating in intercollegiate athletics and included specific guidance on its implementation. However, on April 20, 2010, the OCR issued a Dear Colleague letter withdrawing the 2005 Additional Clarification and accompanying documents.  The following 2005 documents were withdrawn and are no longer guidance: 

• 2005 Additional Clarification of Intercollegiate Athletics Policy: Three Part Test – Part Three
• 2005 User’s Guide to Student Interest Surveys under Title IX, including the prototype survey
• The 2005 technical report  

All of the Federal policies on Part Three, except for the 2005 Additional Clarification, 2005 user’s guide and 2005 technical report remain in effect. Additionally, the 1979 Policy Interpretation provides more specific factors that the OCR reviews, beyond the Three Part Test.

The April 20, 2010 Dear Colleague letter also reaffirms, and provides clarification on the multiple indicators the OCR evaluates to determine whether an institution is in compliance with Part Three of the Three-Part Test. This letter also provides technical assistance on the non-discriminatory design and implementation of a survey as one method to assess student interest under Part Three. 

To view Questions and Answers about the April 20, 2010 Dear Colleague letter, click here:  Q&A—April 20, 2010 Dear Colleague Letter