Sexual Harassment & Abuse

Photo illustration of gavel falling in front of a cascade of money.
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Budget & Finance More Districts Are Paying Big to Resolve Sexual Misconduct Claims
A new report says schools and colleges had to pay out 69 damage awards and settlements of $1 million or more last year.
Caitlynn Peetz, February 7, 2023
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5 min read
Image of safety cones and red flags.
Collage by Laura Baker/Education Week via Getty
School Climate & Safety How a Virginia District ‘Failed at Every Juncture’ to Prevent Sexual Assault
The grand jury’s devastating report is a must-read for district superintendents on how systems fall apart.
Caitlynn Peetz, December 9, 2022
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6 min read
Thunder storm sky over the United States Supreme Court building in Washington DC.
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Law & Courts Supreme Court Won't Take Up Cases Seen as Expanding Schools' Liability for Sexual Harassment
The court rejected appeals from a school district and university about when educational institutions may be sued for sexual harassment.
Mark Walsh, November 21, 2022
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4 min read
Icons showing expressions with a hand choosing the smiley face.
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Equity & Diversity Proposed Federal Rules on Title IX Draw Flood of Public Comments
The Education Department received more than 200,000 comments on proposed changes to Title IX sex discrimination regulations.
Libby Stanford, September 13, 2022
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5 min read
State Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, discusses his proposed measure to provide legal refuge to displaced transgender youth and their families during a news conference in Sacramento, Calif., March 17, 2022. Democratic lawmakers in more than a dozen states are following California’s lead in seeking to offer legal refuge to displaced transgender youth and their families. The coordinated effort being announced Tuesday, May 3, by the LGBTQ Victory Institute and other advocates comes in response to recent actions taken in conservative states.
State Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, discusses his proposed measure to provide legal refuge to displaced transgender youth and their families during a news conference in Sacramento, Calif., March 17, 2022. Democratic lawmakers in more than a dozen states are following California’s lead in seeking to offer legal refuge to displaced transgender youth and their families. The coordinated effort being announced Tuesday, May 3, by the LGBTQ Victory Institute and other advocates comes in response to recent actions taken in conservative states.
Rich Pedroncelli/AP
Equity & Diversity Opinion How to Challenge Normative Gender Culture to Support All Students
Teachers can play key roles in helping support LGBTQ and other students facing gender discrimination.
Larry Ferlazzo, July 11, 2022
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1 min read
Education Secretary Miguel Cardona speaks during the 2022 National and State Teachers of the Year event in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, April 27, 2022.
U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona speaks at a White House event in April.
Susan Walsh/AP
Equity & Diversity Proposed Title IX Overhaul: Key Questions on What's Next
The U.S. Department of Education's proposed rules covering sex discrimination in education enter the public comment process.
Libby Stanford, June 24, 2022
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6 min read
People wave pride flags and hold signs during a rally in support of LGBTQ students at Ridgeline High School, Wednesday, April 14, 2021, in Millville, Utah. Students and school district officials in Utah are outraged after a high school student ripped down a pride flag to the cheers of other students during diversity week. A rally was held the following day in response to show support for the LGBTQ community.
People wave pride flags and hold signs during a 2021 rally in support of LGBTQ students at Ridgeline High School in Millville, Utah.
Eli Lucero/The Herald Journal via AP
Equity & Diversity LGBTQ Students Would Get Explicit Protection Under Title IX Proposals
But the U.S. Department of Education did not include transgender participation in sports in the latest version of revised Title IX regulations.
Libby Stanford, June 23, 2022
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6 min read
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Law & Courts How Liable Are School Districts for Student-on-Student Sexual Harassment?
The outcome of two federal lawsuits brought against the Nashville school district may answer that.
Mark Walsh, May 20, 2022
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4 min read
Chalk illustration of speech bubble with angry and aggressive symbols.
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Student Well-Being Why Misusing 'Groomer' as a Political Smear Is Especially Dangerous
The term, used in connection with child sexual abuse, is being intentionally misappropriated in fights over teaching and curriculum.
Evie Blad, April 26, 2022
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4 min read
Conceptual illustration of a person's Hand covering another person's mouth to silence them.
Vanessa Solis/Education Week and holaillustrations/iStock/Getty
School Climate & Safety Opinion Schools Must Heal Survivors of Sexual Assault, Not Retraumatize Them
Schools must do more to address sexual violence against their students, writes an education lawyer.
Amy Leipziger, March 15, 2022
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4 min read
Illustration of individual carrying binary data on his back to put back into the organized background of 1s and 0s.
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Federal In Reversal, Feds Seek to Revive DeVos-Era Questions About Sexual Misconduct by Educators
The Education Department's decision follows backlash from former education Secretary Betsy DeVos and other conservatives.
Andrew Ujifusa, December 14, 2021
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4 min read
The Supreme Court in Washington as seen on Oct. 7, 2020. After more than a decade in which the Supreme Court moved gradually toward more leniency for minors convicted of murder, the justices have moved the other way. The high court ruled 6-3 Thursday along ideological lines against a Mississippi inmate sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for fatally stabbing his grandfather when the defendant was 15 years old. The case is important because it marks a break with the court’s previous rulings and is evidence of the impact of a newly more conservative court.
The U.S. Supreme Court as seen on Oct. 7, 2020.
J. Scott Applewhite/AP
Law & Courts High Court Justice Rejects Student's Bid to Block Removal Over Sexual Harassment Claim
Justice Elena Kagan denied a California student's effort to return to school after his 'emergency' suspension under Title IX regulations.
Mark Walsh, September 7, 2021
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3 min read
Symbols of gender.
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Federal Biden Team: Schools Can Go Beyond Trump Rules in Response to Alleged Sexual Misconduct
The Education Department's guidance, released July 20, states that Title IX rules from 2020 lay out "minimum steps" for educators.
Andrew Ujifusa, July 20, 2021
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3 min read
Image of the White House seal
Bet Noire/Getty
Federal Biden Orders Review of Trump-Era Rule on Responding to Sexual Assault in Schools
Critics said the Trump-era rule on how schools should respond to reports of sexual assault and harassment weakened protections for accusers.
Evie Blad, March 8, 2021
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3 min read
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