FAQs: Rights Under Title IX for Pregnant and Parenting Students
Title IX prohibits discrimination based on sex, including pregnancy, parenting, and related conditions. This means schools must provide reasonable accommodations to ensure pregnant and parenting students can continue their education without facing discrimination.
Accommodations can vary but often include:
- Larger workspaces or modified classroom seating
- Breaks during class
- Access to lactation rooms
- Temporary elevator access
- Rescheduling of tests and exams
- Closer parking accessibility
- Excused absences for medical needs
- Opportunities to make up missed work
No, a school cannot require a pregnant student to participate in a separate program. However, if a separate program is offered, it must be voluntary and provide comparable educational opportunities.
Parenting students are entitled to excused absences for pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions. Schools must allow a reasonable amount of time to make up missed assignments and tests.
Yes, faculty must provide reasonable accommodations to pregnant students, including allowing them to make up missed work and assignments. Discrimination against students due to pregnancy or related conditions is prohibited.
No, students cannot be penalized for medically necessary absences related to pregnancy or childbirth. Schools must excuse these absences and allow students to make up for the missed work.
Schools must allow pregnant students to take a leave of absence for as long as it is deemed medically necessary by the student’s physician. Upon return, students should be reinstated to the same academic and extracurricular status as before the leave.
No, students are not required to disclose their pregnancy status. However, disclosing it can help in receiving appropriate accommodations and support.
Yes, parenting students are protected under Title IX. This includes rights to reasonable accommodations and excused absences for parenting-related responsibilities, such as attending to a child’s medical needs.
Title IX Consulting Group provides expert guidance and support to ensure that pregnant and parenting students receive the accommodations and protections they are entitled to under Title IX. We work with institutions to develop and implement compliant policies and procedures, ensuring a supportive educational environment.