At Forum on Title IX's 37th Anniversary, Talk Focuses on Academics, Not Just Sports

Washington — At a White House roundtable today marking the 37th anniversary of Title IX, participants celebrated the strides made in athletic opportunities for women since the landmark gender-equity law was enacted, in 1972. But a large part of the conversation also centered on the academic component of Title IX, which has traditionally been overshadowed by the attention on sports.

At the roundtable, Education Secretary Arne Duncan and a White House senior adviser, Valerie Jarrett, joined a panel that featured prominent athletes, such as Dominique Dawes and Billie Jean King, as well as representatives from NASA, the Education Department, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. They spoke of the key role of Title IX, which bans discrimination based on gender in education programs receiving federal funds, in ensuring fairness and access for women in higher education.

In his presentation, Mr. Duncan announced $2.4-million in grants to 13 groups that help high-school girls improve their proficiency in mathematics and science. Other panelists praised the announcement, calling it a positive step in what they see as a growing need for more opportunities for girls and women in science, technology, engineering, and math. —Ashley C. Killough