The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) announced today that the Minneapolis Public School District in Minnesota has entered into an agreement to ensure compliance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 concerning its high school athletics programs. The OCR investigation examined whether the district effectively accommodated female students' interests and abilities in interscholastic athletics and provided equal competitive and practice facilities, as well as locker rooms.
The investigation revealed significant disparities between female enrollment rates and their participation in interscholastic athletics across several district high schools. Despite these disparities, it was noted that the district had not conducted a student athletic interest survey in the past decade and lacked written policies for adding sports or levels to its athletics program.
Disparities were also found in practice and competitive facilities and locker rooms. For example, girls' softball teams used substandard facilities lacking regulation amenities, while boys' baseball teams generally had access to higher-quality fields. Additionally, girls’ softball teams often faced displacement from competitive events due to adult men’s recreational leagues occupying their facilities after 6 p.m.
Concerns were raised about maintenance responsibilities, with a higher proportion of female athletes responsible for preparing their practice and competition spaces. Girls' volleyball teams set up their nets for practices and competitions, while girls' badminton teams handled net setup and seating arrangements. At two high schools, girls’ softball teams were required to set up outfield fencing due to inadequate facilities.
Further issues included unequal access to quality locker rooms. Female athletes at multiple high schools reported inadequate conditions such as lack of hot water and poor maintenance. In contrast, male athletes enjoyed additional exclusive locker rooms without equivalent benefits provided to female participants.
Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Catherine E. Lhamon stated, “Minneapolis Public Schools has signed a robust agreement to assure that female students at each of its high schools will now have the equal opportunity to participate in sports and equal access to facilities for competition, practice, and locker rooms that Title IX guarantees.”
The resolution agreement obligates the district to:
- Conduct a full assessment of how it can equally accommodate athletic interests and abilities.
- Develop a plan with timeframes to increase participation opportunities for female students.
- Create a Stakeholder Committee for collaborative policy development regarding Title IX compliance.
- Assess and develop plans concerning locker room provisions as well as practice and competitive facilities.
- Train Title IX coordinators, athletic directors, principals, and coaches on their responsibilities under Title IX.
The letter of resolution and the resolution agreement are available on the OCR website.
