Title IX Athletic Title IX Athletic Interest SurveyInterest Survey

Executive SummaryExecutive Summary

GCISD Board of Trustees Meeting GCISD Board of Trustees Meeting

March 30, 2009March 30, 2009

Title IX of the Education Amendments of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 states: 1972 states:

““No person in the United States shall, No person in the United States shall, on the basis on the basis

of sex, be excluded from participation of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied in, be denied

the benefits of, or be subjected to the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination discrimination

under any education program or activity under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial receiving Federal financial

assistance.” assistance.”

In 1979, the then U.S. Department of In 1979, the then U.S. Department of Health, Health,

Education and Welfare (now the Department Education and Welfare (now the Department

of Education) issued a policy of Education) issued a policy interpretation for interpretation for

Title IX as it pertains to athletics, Title IX as it pertains to athletics, including what including what

has become known as the “Three-Prong Test” has become known as the “Three-Prong Test”

of an institution’s compliance with the of an institution’s compliance with the law.law.

• Prong One – An institution is in Prong One – An institution is in compliance if it provides athletic compliance if it provides athletic opportunities that are substantially opportunities that are substantially proportionate to the student enrollment; proportionate to the student enrollment; oror

• Prong Two – An institution is in Prong Two – An institution is in compliance if it demonstrates a continual compliance if it demonstrates a continual expansion of athletic opportunities for expansion of athletic opportunities for the underrepresented sex; or the underrepresented sex; or

• Prong Three – An institution is in Prong Three – An institution is in compliance if it compliance if it is fully and effectively accommodating the is fully and effectively accommodating the interests and abilities of the interests and abilities of the underrepresented sex. underrepresented sex.

An institution is in compliance with An institution is in compliance with Title IXTitle IX

if it satisfies if it satisfies any oneany one of the of the three prongs.three prongs.

Like most school districts, the GCISD does Like most school districts, the GCISD does not meet the Prong One standard of the not meet the Prong One standard of the

three-prong test.three-prong test.Even though there are as many girls as boys Even though there are as many girls as boys in our District, the participation rate of in our District, the participation rate of

boys boys in athletics is much higher than the in athletics is much higher than the

girls.girls.

This is due in part to two things:This is due in part to two things:1.1. No sport, boys or girls, requires as many No sport, boys or girls, requires as many

participants as football. Football numbers skew participants as football. Football numbers skew participation percentages.participation percentages.

2.2. Activities that interest girls such as Activities that interest girls such as cheerleading, drill team, and dance are not cheerleading, drill team, and dance are not considered to be athletic activities considered to be athletic activities by Title IX definition.by Title IX definition.

The GCISD believes that we are The GCISD believes that we are in compliance with both Prong in compliance with both Prong

Two and Prong Three Two and Prong Three of the test.of the test.

Though not a requirement, the Office of Civil Though not a requirement, the Office of Civil Rights recommends that institutions conduct Rights recommends that institutions conduct surveys periodically to determine if the surveys periodically to determine if the

needs and interests needs and interests of female students in sports are being met.of female students in sports are being met.

A District committee was formed to design A District committee was formed to design such a survey. The committee was composed such a survey. The committee was composed

of students, parents, coaches, campus of students, parents, coaches, campus administrators, and administrators, and

central office administrators.central office administrators.

The goal was to survey as many of our femaleThe goal was to survey as many of our femalestudents in middle and high school as students in middle and high school as

possible.possible.

The survey design was completed in late The survey design was completed in late November, November,

and a Spanish translation was completed and a Spanish translation was completed in December. GCISD students began in December. GCISD students began

taking the survey in December, and the taking the survey in December, and the survey closed on February 18.survey closed on February 18.

3,325 students completed the English 3,325 students completed the English version version

of the survey, and 49 students completed of the survey, and 49 students completed

the Spanish version.the Spanish version.

Total number of surveys completed = 3,374Total number of surveys completed = 3,374

The survey was designed to ask our The survey was designed to ask our girls girls

a few primary questions:a few primary questions:

1.1. Are you participating in school sports?Are you participating in school sports?

2.2. If not, why not?If not, why not?

3.3. Is the District encouraging your Is the District encouraging your participation, or discouraging your participation, or discouraging your participation?participation?

4.4. If you play sports for your school, is it If you play sports for your school, is it an enjoyable experience?an enjoyable experience?

5.5. Would you like to participate in sports Would you like to participate in sports not currently not currently offered in GCISD?offered in GCISD?

Survey HighlightsSurvey Highlights

Do you participate in a sport for your Do you participate in a sport for your school?school?

Do you play a sport outside of school?Do you play a sport outside of school?

For SchoolFor School Outside of SchoolOutside of School Grade 6Grade 6 NA NA 75%75%

Grade 7Grade 7 55% 55% 72%72%Grade 8Grade 8 45% 45% 70%70%Grade 9Grade 9 41% 41% 54%54%Grade 10Grade 10 36% 36% 50%50%Grade 11Grade 11 34% 34% 43%43%Grade 12Grade 12 22% 22% 30%30%

SummarySummary

** An average of 35.1% of our secondary An average of 35.1% of our secondary female female

students participate in school students participate in school sports. sports.

** Participation rates of females in Participation rates of females in both school and both school and

community sports decline each year community sports decline each year from grades from grades

7 to 12 at about the same rate.7 to 12 at about the same rate.

If you do not play a sport for your If you do not play a sport for your school, why not?school, why not?

Grade 7Grade 71.1. I am too busy with school work. I am too busy with school work.2.2. The sport I like to play is not offered. The sport I like to play is not offered.3.3. I am not interested in sports. I am not interested in sports.4.4. Practice schedules and game times are Practice schedules and game times are

inconvenient.inconvenient.Grade 8Grade 8

1.1. I am too busy with school work. I am too busy with school work.2.2. I would rather participate in other I would rather participate in other

extracurricular activities.extracurricular activities.3.3. The sport I like to play is not offered. The sport I like to play is not offered.4.4. Practice schedules and game times are Practice schedules and game times are

inconvenient.inconvenient.

If you do not play a sport for your If you do not play a sport for your school, why not?school, why not?

Grade 9Grade 9

1.1. I am too busy with school work. I am too busy with school work.

2.2. I would rather participate in other I would rather participate in other extracurricular activities.extracurricular activities.

3.3. I am not interested in sports. I am not interested in sports.

4.4. It conflicts with other school activities. It conflicts with other school activities.

Grade 10Grade 10

1.1. I am too busy with school work. I am too busy with school work.

2.2. I would rather participate in other I would rather participate in other extracurricular activities.extracurricular activities.

3.3. I am not interested in sports. I am not interested in sports.

4.4. Practice schedules and game times are Practice schedules and game times are inconvenient.inconvenient.

If you do not play a sport for your If you do not play a sport for your school, why not?school, why not?

Grade 11Grade 111.1. I am too busy with school work. I am too busy with school work.2.2. I would rather participate in other I would rather participate in other

extracurricular activities.extracurricular activities.3.3. I have a job and do not have the time. I have a job and do not have the time.4.4. I am not interested in sports. I am not interested in sports.

Grade 12Grade 121.1. I am too busy with school work. I am too busy with school work.2.2. I would rather participate in other I would rather participate in other

extracurricular activities.extracurricular activities.3.3. I have a job and do not have the time. I have a job and do not have the time.4.4. I am not interested in sports. I am not interested in sports.

SummarySummary

** 64.9% of our secondary female students do not 64.9% of our secondary female students do not

participate in school sports.participate in school sports.

** The most common reasons cited do not suggest The most common reasons cited do not suggest a lack of opportunity, or that they are a lack of opportunity, or that they are

being discouraged being discouraged from participation. from participation.

** Female students were given three Female students were given three opportunities to report opportunities to report why they are not why they are not participating in sports. Depending on participating in sports. Depending on how how the question was asked, between 3.1% and 7.1% the question was asked, between 3.1% and 7.1% of the students who responded to the questions of the students who responded to the questions reported reported that they tried out but did not that they tried out but did not make a team.make a team.

** 68.6% of secondary-age females report 68.6% of secondary-age females report participating in participating in

extracurricular activities other than extracurricular activities other than school sports.school sports.

Please respond to the following statement: “Coaches Please respond to the following statement: “Coaches and other school personnel encourage me to try out and other school personnel encourage me to try out

for teams.”for teams.”

AgreeAgree Somewhat AgreeSomewhat Agree NAD*NAD* Somewhat DisagreeSomewhat Disagree DisagreeDisagree

Grade 6Grade 6 50% 26% 16% 3% 50% 26% 16% 3% 6% 6%

Grade 7Grade 7 39% 39% 29% 29% 17% 17% 6% 6% 9% 9%

Grade 8Grade 8 37% 29% 18% 5% 37% 29% 18% 5% 11% 11%

Grade 9Grade 9 28% 28% 28% 28% 24% 7% 24% 7% 13% 13%

Grade 10Grade 10 21% 29% 26% 21% 29% 26% 6%6% 17% 17%

Grade 11Grade 11 24% 21% 26% 8% 24% 21% 26% 8% 22% 22%

Grade 12Grade 12 19% 19% 19% 19% 29% 29% 8% 8% 25% 25%

* Neither Agree nor Disagree* Neither Agree nor Disagree

SummarySummary

** Though 76% of our sixth graders Though 76% of our sixth graders believe that believe that

school personnel encourage school personnel encourage them to participate them to participate

in school sports, this number in school sports, this number declines through declines through

grade 12. 38% of students in grade 12. 38% of students in grade 12 feel that grade 12 feel that

school personnel encourage school personnel encourage them to participate.them to participate.

Have coaches or school officials made Have coaches or school officials made negative negative

or discouraging remarks to you?or discouraging remarks to you?If you do not participate in school athletics, mark If you do not participate in school athletics, mark

all all the reasons that best apply to your situation: the reasons that best apply to your situation:

Coach (Neg.)Coach (Neg.) School School Official (Neg.)Official (Neg.)

Grade 7Grade 7 7 7 2 2Grade 8Grade 8 18 18 6 6Grade 9Grade 9 10 10 2 2Grade 10Grade 10 24 24 5 5Grade 11Grade 11 17 17 4 4

Grade 12Grade 12 23 23 4 4

All RespondingAll Responding 4.6%4.6% .08% .08%

Have coaches or school officials made negative Have coaches or school officials made negative or discouraging remarks to you?or discouraging remarks to you?

If you played a school sport last year but did not If you played a school sport last year but did not play this year, which statement(s) best describes play this year, which statement(s) best describes

why you did not play? why you did not play?

Coach (Neg.)Coach (Neg.) School School Official (Neg.)Official (Neg.)

Grade 7Grade 7 NA NA NA NAGrade 8Grade 8 14 3 14 3Grade 9Grade 9 8 8 4 4

Grade 10Grade 10 29 5 29 5Grade 11Grade 11 21 3 21 3Grade 12Grade 12 21 2 21 2All RespondingAll Responding 8.2%8.2% .08% .08%

Have coaches or school officials made Have coaches or school officials made negative negative

or discouraging remarks to you?or discouraging remarks to you?

If you are in a sport this year but are not If you are in a sport this year but are not going going

to tryout next year, please tell us why. to tryout next year, please tell us why.

Coach (Neg.)Coach (Neg.) School Official (Neg.)School Official (Neg.)

Grade 7Grade 7 10 10 2 2

Grade 8Grade 8 6 6 33

Grade 9Grade 9 11 2 11 2

Grade 10Grade 10 16 16 3 3

Grade 11Grade 11 11 4 11 4

Grade 12Grade 12 NA NA NA NA

All RespondingAll Responding 4.9%4.9% .08% .08%

SummarySummary

** Students were given three opportunities to Students were given three opportunities to point point out negative comments from coaches and other out negative comments from coaches and other

school personnel. Depending on how the school personnel. Depending on how the question question was asked, anywhere from 92.8% to 95.4% of was asked, anywhere from 92.8% to 95.4% of the the students surveyed did students surveyed did notnot report receiving report receiving negative negative comments from coaches. comments from coaches.

** 99.2% of the students did 99.2% of the students did notnot report report experiencing experiencing negative comments from other school negative comments from other school personnel.personnel.

While participating in school sports,While participating in school sports,did you enjoy the experience?did you enjoy the experience?

Really EnjoyedReally Enjoyed Somewhat EnjoyedSomewhat Enjoyed NLD*NLD* Somewhat DislikedSomewhat Disliked Really Really DislikedDisliked

Grade 7Grade 7 55% 55% 34% 34% 5% 3% 5% 3% 3% 3%

Grade 8Grade 8 51%51% 35% 35% 7% 4% 7% 4% 2%2%

Grade 9Grade 9 54% 54% 31% 31% 5% 6% 5% 6% 3%3%

Grade 10Grade 10 51% 51% 27% 27% 6% 8% 6% 8% 8%8%

Grade 11Grade 11 46% 46% 37% 37% 8% 5% 8% 5% 3%3%

Grade 12Grade 12 46% 46% 31% 31% 8% 7% 8% 7% 8%8%

*Neither Liked or Disliked*Neither Liked or Disliked

SummarySummary

** Girls who participate in athletics seem to Girls who participate in athletics seem to enjoy the experience in the GCISD. enjoy the experience in the GCISD.

** Between 77% and 89% of the girls report Between 77% and 89% of the girls report either “Really Liking” or “Somewhat either “Really Liking” or “Somewhat

Liking” Liking” the athletic experience. Between 6% and the athletic experience. Between 6% and 16% report either “Somewhat Disliking” or 16% report either “Somewhat Disliking” or

“Really Disliking” the experience, with “Really Disliking” the experience, with no no

more than 8% having no opinion. more than 8% having no opinion.

Would like to play sports that are not Would like to play sports that are not offered offered

at your school?at your school?

Middle SchoolMiddle School High SchoolHigh School

1.1. Soccer (251) Soccer (251) 1.1. Archery Archery (159)(159)

2.2. Swimming (212) Swimming (212) 2.2. Bowling Bowling (113)(113)

3.3. Gymnastics (167) Gymnastics (167) 3.3. Fencing Fencing (113)(113)

4.4. Softball (112) Softball (112) 4.4. Lacrosse (97)Lacrosse (97)

If you tried out for a school sport but If you tried out for a school sport but did not make did not make

the team, would you want to play that the team, would you want to play that sport sport

on a recreational level for no credit on a recreational level for no credit after school after school

on your campus? (Intramurals)on your campus? (Intramurals)

* Of the 2,637 female students who Of the 2,637 female students who responded responded

to this question, 1,411 (53.5%) to this question, 1,411 (53.5%) answered “yes” answered “yes”

and 598 students skipped the question.and 598 students skipped the question.

SummarySummary

1.1. An average of 35.1% of our secondary female An average of 35.1% of our secondary female students participate in school sports. students participate in school sports.

2.2. Girls who participate in athletics in GCISD Girls who participate in athletics in GCISD seem to enjoy the experience. Between 77% seem to enjoy the experience. Between 77% and 89% of the girls report either “Really and 89% of the girls report either “Really Liking” or “Somewhat Liking” Liking” or “Somewhat Liking” the athletic experience. Between 6% and 16% the athletic experience. Between 6% and 16% report either “Somewhat Disliking” or report either “Somewhat Disliking” or “Really Disliking” the experience, with no “Really Disliking” the experience, with no more than 8% having no opinion. more than 8% having no opinion.

3.3. Of the 64.9% who do not participate in Of the 64.9% who do not participate in school sports, the most common reasons school sports, the most common reasons cited do not suggest a lack of opportunity. cited do not suggest a lack of opportunity.

Summary, continuedSummary, continued

4.4. 68.6% of our girls are in school 68.6% of our girls are in school activities other than athletics.activities other than athletics.

5.5. 735 girls (34%) report 735 girls (34%) report participating in cheerleading, participating in cheerleading, dance, or drill team. Title IX dance, or drill team. Title IX does not consider these activities does not consider these activities to be “sports.”to be “sports.”

6.6. Just over half the girls surveyed Just over half the girls surveyed (53.5%) expressed an interest in (53.5%) expressed an interest in recreational sports opportunities.recreational sports opportunities.

ConclusionsConclusions

* The purpose of this survey was to further The purpose of this survey was to further examine if the GCISD is, in fact, meeting examine if the GCISD is, in fact, meeting the athletic needs and interests of the athletic needs and interests of secondary-age female students.secondary-age female students.

* Survey responses indicate that the vast Survey responses indicate that the vast majority of girls who do not participate majority of girls who do not participate in sports are doing so in sports are doing so by choice rather than being denied by choice rather than being denied opportunities opportunities or being discouraged from participation.or being discouraged from participation.

* The survey responses indicate that the The survey responses indicate that the GCISD is meeting the athletic needs and GCISD is meeting the athletic needs and interests of females interests of females in middle and high school.in middle and high school.