Blog #2
(Introduction & Chapter 1, pages 1-42)
Research Topic - Title IX
Title was first enacted in 1972 as Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972; it was later renamed the Patsy T. Mink Equal Opportunity in Education Act after Congresswoman Mink.
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...
This definition of “program or activity” was later expanded to include all the operations of an educational institution, government entity or private employer that receive federal funding.
Title IX is most commonly recognized by people because of its connection to athletics but, Title IX addresses other areas of gender equality. These areas include: Access to Higher Education, Athletics, Career Education, Education for Pregnant and Parenting Students, Employment, Learning Environment, Math and Science, Sexual Harassment, Standardized Testing and Technology.
A short analysis of the ramifications that Title IX has had in these 10 issues:
Access to Higher Education – There is less injustice against women admission and financial aid support in higher education. Women earn undergraduate and graduate degrees at a higher rate than men. Also, more women are studying the same majors, which normally were dominated by men, such as medicine and law. All this combined has assisted in the advancement of the economic status of women in society.
Athletics – Significant growth in the number of women participating in sports and receiving athletic scholarships; furthermore, there are higher levels of sport participation available to women. This increased participation in sports has also aided in keeping females of all ages healthier and living longer lives.
Career Education – Schools can no longer segregate courses based on gender; females are free to follow any career training courses they choose.
Education for Pregnant and Parenting Students – Title IX protects teenagers, their children and future children from being treated adversely. Schools are allowed to have separate programs for pregnant teenagers but enrollment in such programs must be voluntary.
Employment – Title IX has led to a greater number of female faculty members at a variety of levels, the gap in wages has decreased and top administrative positions in higher education are occupied by women.
Learning Environment – Learning environments have changed greatly since prior to Title IX, there are fewer stereotypes, equal support and responsiveness available for females.
Math and Science – These fields of study, once dominated by men, are now courses very often taken by females; upper level high school math and science courses required for these majors in college are taken by girls at the same rate as boys.
Sexual Harassment – Any unwanted or unwelcome sexual behavior that interferes with a student’s education opportunity is required to be prevented and addressed, no matter who it is perpetrated by.
Standardized Testing – “Title IX requires that tests must be valid predictors of success in the areas being tested and that they measure what they say they measure. If a test doesn't meet this standard, and if it results in a lower score for a significant number of members of one sex, it may be unlawful.”(Corbett, Hill, & St. Rose, 2008)
Technology – Prior to Title IX it was said that computer and computer programming was “male territory” and that when it came to women, computers were of only one use: data entry. Because of the importance of computers and technology in education and employment, both girls and boys are spending equal amounts on computers at school and at home. Boys still have a higher tendency in leaving high school with a greater interest in and knowledge of computer technology.References:
1.Corbett, C., Hill, C. & St. Rose, A. (2008) Where the Girls Are: The Facts about Gender Equity in Education. American Association of University Women, http://www.aawu.org
Suzanne C.
ReplyDeleteResponse to Daniela's Blog #2
Rigorous Researcher
I have always been aware of Title IX, but I don't think I've ever realized how much it has impacted my life. Education has always been something that has been readily available to me. I often forget that it has not always been that way for women even in the last forty years. While I've always had the opportunity to learn anything or be anything I wanted, my mother and grandmothers were often told that girl didn't go to college or that all they could be were secretaries, housewives, and teachers.
While I feel lucky to not have my education limited by sex, there are some things I remember from my high school education that don't reflect Title IX. As a student at an all girls high school, we had great opportunities to learn in the areas of Math, Science, English, and Social Studies. However, I found it interesting that Home Economics was offered, but that Shop was not. In the other extreme, I was recently shocked when I saw two current students wearing cheerleading uniforms. While we had all the same sports as the all male schools, except for football, at the time I attended the school did not feel that the athletes needed cheerleaders at the games. Should these differences make me feel that things were unequal or were they simply just decisions based on the students needs at the time?
I had always heard the phrase "Title IX", but I don't think I ever payed attention to it; until now. It puts everything into perspective as a future teacher because everyone has a right to learn no matter who, or where they came from.
ReplyDeleteI like how you incorporated all of these definitions because it is something that I will definitely be using in the future. Even the technology definition is very interesting about programing used to be "male territory" but because of the importance of computers, both genders spend equal time on computers at home and school.
-Ali Getsloff