Title IX Information
TITLE IX - SEX BASED NONDISCRIMINATION STATUTE
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 Charter Oak 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 Coordinator 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 Coordinator 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 to the District’s Complaint Coordinator. The District UCP Complaint Form and further information about the UCP process can be obtained at here, the District office, and the office of each school within the District.
This will begin the investigation process which must be completed within 60 days. An appeal of the District’s Complaint Coordinator’s Office's findings may be made to the California Department of Education - Office of Equal Opportunity.
For further information visit our Know Your Rights page
FOR ASSISTANCE
School Site
Speak to the site administrator or Title IX Complaint Manager/Designee.
Issues/Complaints NOT Involving Employees
Mr. Joey Strycula
Director for Students Services
jstrycula@cousd.net
Issues/Complaints Involving Employees
Dr. Meg Abrahamson
Assistant Superintendent, Human Resources
mabrahamson@cousd.net
Charter Oak Unified School District
20240 E. Cienega Ave.-Covina, CA 91724 –626.966.8331