WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), chair of the House Education and Labor Committee, released the following statement today after the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights (OCR) reversed a clarification the Bush administration issued to Title IX in 2005. The clarification, “Additional Clarification of Intercollegiate Athletics Policy: Three Part Test – Part Three” allowed universities to use an emailed survey to count towards their compliance with equity in athletics and undermined the ability of colleges and universities to assess the interests and abilities of the underrepresented sex in sports.
“Secretary Duncan has taken an important step today for all students, recognizing every child in this country deserves the same opportunities, both in classroom and on the athletic field. Since its inception, Title IX has worked in schools across the country on behalf of all Americans, despite the Bush administration’s efforts to shamefully turn back the clock and weaken the protections in the law. President Obama, Secretary Duncan and I all know we have a responsibility to strengthen and enforce Title IX to help all students, and bring new opportunities to the playing field in collegiate sports. Today’s decision is a win-win for student athletes, schools and sports enthusiasts. ”
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