Case Review
Violation of Title IV and Title IX
First case
The principle of The Rhinebeck Central School District was involved in sexual harassment. Thomas Mawhinney worked as the principal for 10 years during his job tenure, he violated Title IX by sexually harassing high school female students. According to Title IX, the federal law states that students should not be discriminated on sexual basis or in other words they should not be denied benefits based on sex (U.S Department of Justice, 2009). The Plaintiffs filed the case to the United States District Court in 2004 and 2006, the court made a consent judgment and ordered the Central School District to create a comprehensive plan, provide harassment training, create sexual harassment policies, among other roles all aimed at creating a discrimination-free education (U.S Department of Justice, 2009). The consent decree also ordered the school to pay $152, 500 for compensation and for attorney's fees.
Second court case
According to Title IX and Title IV, all students should access education in a nondiscriminatory environment. However, the Arcadia Unified School was involved on gender based harassment by restricting transgender students from using bathrooms, restrooms, and other sex-specific accommodations (National Center for Lesbian Rights, 2019). The National Center for Lesbian Rights filed a complaint and stated that the Arcadia Unified School violated Title IX by discriminating on a sex basis. The Office of Civil Right and the Department of Justice resolved the dispute through a resolution agreement or in other words, the Arcadia Unified School and the NCLR agreed that the school should treat male students as male, recognize the transgender rights and policies, and ensure that transgender students have equal access school resources (National Center for Lesbian Rights, 2019). The NCLR served as an advocate for transgender students and he ensured that transgender students are free from harassment and discrimination.
Third court case
In 2009, Quinnipiac announced its plan to create a varsity sports team and eliminate some athletic events. Five Quinnipiac women's filed a complaint and stated that the Quinnipiac University violated Title IX by eliminating women from the volleyball team and by denying them athletic opportunities (FindLaw, n.d). The District Court offered a preliminary injunction. In 2010, there was a bench trial and provided the plaintiffs with an injunction relief or in other words the court ordered the Quinnipiac to stop the act of discriminating female students by denying the athletic participation opportunities (FindLaw, n.d). The judge addressed the issue fairly or in other words, he acted as an advocate of student by supporting an equal athletic opportunity to both male and female students.
Fourth Case
In 2010, The Anoka-Hennepin School District was involved in sexual harassment. Some students academic performance was affected since their fellow student harassed them due to their sexual orientation (U.S Department of Justice, 2012). The plaintiffs filed a lawsuit against the United States District Court. In 2012, the parties filed a consent decree and the school district was ordered to create a comprehensive plan, improve the training of faculty, appoint Title IX coordination, hire an expert consultant for mental health, improve efforts for investigations for harassment, and ensure consistent monitoring and evaluation (U.S Department of Justice, 2012).
In the above cases, there was a violation of Title IV and Title IX. However, in each case, the mode of violation is different. Nevertheless, the resolutions aimed at creating a high-quality environment where all students gain equal academic support.
References
National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR). (2019). Case Summary & History. Retrieved from: http://www.nclrights.org/cases-and-policy/cases-and-advocacy/student-v-arcadia-unified-school-district/
U.S Department of Justice. (2009). Case Summary: A.B. v. Rhinebeck Central School District & Thomas Mawhinney. Retrieved from: https://casetext.com/analysis/case-summary-ab-v-rhinebeck-central-school-district-thomas-mawhinney
U.S Department of Justice. (2012). Case Summary: Doe & United States v. Anoka-Hennepin School District. Retrieved from: https://casetext.com/analysis/case-summary-doe-united-states-v-anoka-hennepin-school-district
FindLaw. (n.d). BIEDIGER v. QUINNIPIAC UNIVERSITY. Retrieved from: https://caselaw.findlaw.com/us-2nd-circuit/1608295.html
