For Immediate Release: Friday, January 20, 2015

Contact: Jon Mandel, 202-724-8918, JMandel@dccouncil.us

McDuffie Introduces Bill to Improve Athletic Opportunities for Girls in Public Schools
Washington, D.C. Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie (D Ward 5) re-introduced a bill
today that will increase the quality and quantity of athletic opportunities for girls in District of
Columbia traditional and public charter schools.
The Title IX Athletic Equity Act of 2015 will create more transparency and equity in athletic
programming. The bill will require elementary, middle and high schools to submit annually data
to the Mayor regarding athletic participation, staffing, funding, expenditures, scheduling,
competition success, academic supports, and facilities conditions. The bill will also require the
Mayor to develop a strategic plan every five years to close the gap between boys and girls
participation in athletics.
Since Title IXs passage more than 40 years ago, girls participation in athletics on the collegiate
and secondary levels has increased dramatically, said McDuffie. However, the District of
Columbia has had the lowest participation totals in the country in recent years. The state with the
next lowest participation totals, Vermont with a population about the same as the Districts
had six times the number of girls participating in athletic activities. As a father of two young
daughters, I cannot stand by while thousands of girls are denied the same opportunity as their
male counterparts.
To monitor each schools progress toward expanding athletics for girls, the bill will require a
District-wide and school-based Title IX Athletic Coordinators charged with overseeing
compliance, programming, and grievances. Additionally, to strengthen the pipeline between
middle and high schools and colleges, the bill will require the Mayor to designate a National
Collegiate Athletic Association Eligibility and Athletic Scholarship Coordinator.
The bill was co-introduced by At-Large Councilmember David Grosso, Chair of the Committee
on Education, and Ward 3 Councilmember Mary Cheh.
###