Title IX Compliance

GARDEN GROVE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
Title IX Notification

(Education Code section 221.61)

Sex Equity in Education Act 230.

Harassment and other discrimination on the basis of sex include, but are not limited to, the following practices:

(a) On the basis of sex, exclusion of a person or persons from participation in, denial of the benefits of, or subjection to harassment or other discrimination in, any academic, extracurricular, research, occupational training, or other program or activity.

(b) On the basis of sex, provision of different amounts or types of student financial aid, limitation of eligibility for student financial aid, or the application of different criteria to applicants for student financial aid or for participation in the provision of student financial aid by others. Nothing in this subdivision shall be construed to prohibit an educational institution from administering, or assisting in the administration of, scholarships, fellowships, or other forms of student financial aid, established pursuant to domestic or foreign wills, bequests, trusts, or similar legal instruments or by acts of a foreign government, which require that awards be made to members of a particular sex; provided, that the overall effect of the award of these sex-restricted scholarships, fellowships, and other forms of student financial aid does not discriminate on the basis of sex.

(c) On the basis of sex, exclusion from participation in, or denial of equivalent opportunity in, athletic programs. For purposes of this subdivision, “equivalent” means equal or equal in effect.

(d) An educational institution may be found to have effectively accommodated the interests and abilities in athletics of both sexes within the meaning of Section 4922 of Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations, as that section exists on January 1, 2003, using any one of the following tests:

(1) Whether interscholastic level participation opportunities for male and female pupils are provided in numbers substantially proportionate to their respective enrollments.

(2) Where the members of one sex have been and are underrepresented among interscholastic athletes, whether the school district can show a history and continuing practice of program expansion that is demonstrably responsive to the developing interest and abilities of the members of that sex.

(3) Where the members of one sex are underrepresented among interscholastic athletes, and the institution cannot show a history and continuing practice of program expansion as required in paragraph (2), whether the school district can demonstrate that the interest and abilities of the members of that sex have been fully and effectively accommodated by the present program.

(e) If an educational institution must cut its athletic budget, the educational institution shall do so consistently with its legal obligation to comply with both state and federal gender equity laws.

(f) It is the intent of the Legislature that the three-part test articulated in subdivision (d) be interpreted as it has been in the policies and regulations of the Office of Civil Rights in effect on January 1, 2003.

(g) On the basis of sex, harassment or other discrimination among persons, including, but not limited to, students and nonstudents, or academic and nonacademic personnel, in employment and the conditions thereof, except as it relates to a bona fide occupational qualification.

(h) On the basis of sex, the application of any rule concerning the actual or potential parental, family, or marital status of a person, or the exclusion of any person from any program or activity or employment because of pregnancy or related conditions.



Summary of Student Rights (Education Code section 221.8)

  • You have the right to fair and equitable treatment and to be free from discrimination based on your sex.
  • You have the right to an equitable opportunity to participate in all academic extracurricular activities, including athletics.
  • You have the right to ask the athletic director of your school about the athletic opportunities offered by the school.
  • You have the right to apply for athletic scholarships.
  • You have the right to equitable treatment and benefits in:
  • Equipment and supplies
  • Scheduling of games and practices
  • Transportation and daily allowances
  • Access to tutoring
  • Coaching
  • Locker rooms
  • Practice and competitive facilities
  • Medical and training facilities and services
  • Publicity
  • You have access to a gender equity coordinator to answer questions about gender equity laws.
  • You have the right to contact the California Department of Education (CDE) and the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) for information on gender equity laws.
  • You have the right to file a confidential discrimination complaint with the United States Office for Civil Rights (OCR) or CDE if you believe you have been discriminated against or received unequal treatment on the basis of your sex.
  • You have the right to pursue civil remedies if you have been discriminated against.
  • You have the right to be protected from retaliation if you file a discrimination complaint.

For more information regarding student rights under Title IX, please visit:

The California Office of Equal Opportunity
The United States Department of Education Office for Civil Rights

The School's Responsibilities

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits discrimination based on sex in programs and activities of federally funded institutions. School district programs and activities must be operated free from discrimination. Key areas addressed by Title IX include: athletics; sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment and sexual violence; pregnant and parenting students; off-campus activities; recruitment and admission; and employment. Schools must protect against discrimination in these areas. Schools must also prohibit retaliation against any person for opposing an unlawful practice or policy, or filing, testifying about, or participating in any complaint under Title IX.

For more information about schools' responsibilities under Title IX, please visit:

The California Office of Equal Opportunity
The United States Department of Education Office for Civil Rights

How to File a Title IX Complaint

Individuals who believe they have been discriminated against in violation of Title IX may file a complaint with the District or the Office for Civil Rights (OCR). If a crime is involved, such as sexual assault, individuals may also file a report with the local police department. A person may pursue one or all of these avenues at the same time. Below is a summary of each process.

District Complaint

Title IX complaints may be filed using the District's uniform complaint procedure found within the following policies
Board Policy 3119 - Uniform Complaint Procedures
Administrative Regulation 3119.1 - Uniform Complaint Procedures with Form
Board Policy 5161 - Harassment on the Basis of an Individual's Sex
Complaint Form

Time Requirement:
A complaint with the District must be filed within six months of the discrimination occurring or your awareness of the discrimination (5 CCR 4630(b)). If you have any questions about this time limit, or if you believe your complaint may be outside this time requirement but want to explore other options, please contact the Title IX Coordinator.

Investigation Procedure:
Upon receipt of any complaint related to a potential Title IX violation, the District will ensure every allegation is investigated promptly, adequately and impartially. The District will also take steps to protect complainants from retaliation and ensure all parties are treated fairly throughout the District's investigation process. As part of its Title IX obligations, the District also takes steps to prevent recurrence of any sexual violence and remedy discriminatory effects on the complainant and others, as appropriate. The District's procedure for investigating a Title IX complaint can be found at: Board Policy 5161

Please contact the Title IX Coordinator - Jason Bevacqua, Superintendent of Personnel Services at jbevacqu@ggusd.us or (714) 663-6464 if you have any questions.

OCR Complaint

For information regarding filing a complaint with OCR

OCR provides an online complaint filing system

OCR can also be contacted through the California regional office at:

Office for Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Education
50 United Nations Plaza
Mail Box 1200, Room 1545
San Francisco, CA 94102
Telephone: 415-486-5555
Email: ocr.sanfrancisco@ed.gov

Time Requirement:
OCR requires complaints to be filed within 180 calendar days of the alleged discrimination. Please contact OCR, or visit the websites above, if you have any questions about this time requirement.

Investigation Procedure:
For information regarding
OCR's investigation process.

Police Report
To file a police report, please contact local law enforcement at:

714-741-5704 (Garden Grove PD)
714-548-3212 (Westminster PD, Non-emergency Police Dispatch 24 hours)
714-548-3219 (Westminster PD, Desk Officer Service Counter, Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM)
714-593-4485 (Fountain Valley PD)
714-245-8665 (Santa Ana PD)
714-889-7866 (Stanton Sheriff)