Current Cases
Leveling the Playing Field for Girls in High School Sports – Victories in San Diego and Torrance
The benefits of participating in school sports go far beyond physical fitness. Studies show that high school girls who participate in team sports are less likely to drop out of school, smoke, drink, or become pregnant, and are more likely to go to college. The skills gained from sports participation, including teamwork, leadership, and discipline, are crucial to women’' success at work and in their personal lives.
Female athletes at Castle Park High School in San Diego, with help from the LAS–ELC and others, successfully brought a class action lawsuit against their school district for failing to offer them equal access to high school sports.
The girls sued the Sweetwater School District on behalf of current and future female athletes, claiming their school provided them significantly fewer opportunities to participate in athletics than it provided boys. They based their claim on Title IX, a 37-year-old federal law that forbids sex discrimination in any education program or activity receiving federal funds.
A federal judge agreed with the girls, ruling that Castle Park High School allowed “significant gender-based disparity” in sports at the expense of female athletes. The case is not yet resolved and the girls continue to seek equal treatment and benefits in the athletic programs offered at Castle Park High School.
Students at West High School in Torrance, California also will see big improvements to girls’ athletic programs and softball facilities. Torrance Unified School District agreed to make the improvements after LAS–ELC and the California Women’s Law Center began negotiations with the district.
“Once the discrepancies were pointed out, we worked with the District and parents to remedy the situation,” said Ben Egan, West High School principal. “More importantly, we sent a message that all our students are valued individuals.”
Press / Media
- California School Agrees to Title IX Compliance
- September 8, 2009
- Female Athletes Win Title IX Class Action Discrimination Lawsuit Against Sweetwater Union High School District
- April 1, 2009
- Castle Park High Ruled in Violation of Gender-Equity Law
- San Diego Union-Tribune, April 1, 2009