In 2013, the US Department of Education reiterated that Title IX includes pregnant and parenting students.
Colleges are still catching up.
"No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”
- TITLE IX
A few things that you are entitled to under Title IX...
- The pregnant mother may take medical leave from attending school during the pregnancy/complications if medically necessary.
- The pregnant mother must be allowed to return to the same academic and extracurricular status as before the medical leave, including the opportunity to make up any missed work.
- The pregnant mother must be allowed to continue participating in classes and extracurricular activities if they desire to continue to attend school.
- The pregnant mother must be provided reasonable adjustments, such as seating arrangements or access to restrooms.
- Any absences due to pregnancy or childbirth must be excused, so long as [the] doctor says it is necessary.
- The school must take reasonable steps to protect the pregnant [mother] from harassment based on [her] sex, including harassment related to pregnancy.
- The school must provide [the student] with the same special services provided to other students with temporary medical conditions, such as homebound instruction, independent study, or tutoring. (Talbott and Larsen)
Stand up for yourselfContact your school's Title IX Coordinator or us if you have questions or concerns about your protections as a pregnant or parenting student.
If you believe that you are being discriminated against based on the qualifications above, you have a valid complaint against the university. Furthermore, if you have requested accommodations and have been denied, there is a possibility the university is breaking federal code, and you might have a case as well. |
Quick Facts about Pregnancy & Parenting at Federally-Funded Colleges and High Schools
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