Title IX Information

WHAT IS TITLE IX?

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, 20 U.S.C. §1681 et seq., is a federal law that protects students from sex-based discrimination in all educational programs and activities, including athletic programs. No person shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participating in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any educational program or activity operated by the school. Title IX protects all participants in the school's educational programs and activities, including students, parents, employees, and job applicants.

IvyTech does not discriminate on the basis of sex. Discrimination on the basis of sex can include sexual harassment and sexual violence. Under the currently applicable 2020 Title IX regulations, sexual harassment is defined as conduct that is severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive and that effectively denies a person equal access to the school's educational programs or activities.

In addition to Title IX, the California Education Code prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex — including on the basis of gender identity and gender expression — in schools. (California Education Code 220–221.1) California law may provide broader protections than federal law, and IvyTech Charter School complies with all applicable state and federal requirements.

Note on Regulatory Status: The Title IX regulatory framework has undergone significant changes in recent years. The 2024 Title IX Final Rule was vacated by a federal court in January 2025. As of 2026, the 2020 Title IX regulations are in effect and govern IvyTech's procedures.

Title IX information provided here applies to every IvyTech Charter program and activity. This policy reaffirms the commitment of IvyTech Charter School to comply with Title IX and all applicable state and federal non-discrimination laws. This policy covers all instances of sexual harassment and sexual violence.

YOUR RIGHTS UNDER TITLE IX

California Education Code section 221.8 and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, 20 U.S.C. §1681 et seq., provide as follows:

You have the right to fair and equitable treatment and you shall not be discriminated against based on your sex.
You have the right to be provided an equitable opportunity to participate in all academic extracurricular activities, including athletics.
You have the right to inquire of the athletic director of your school as to the athletic opportunities offered by the school.
You have the right to apply for athletic scholarships.
You have the right to receive equitable treatment and benefits in the provision of all of the following:
- Equipment and supplies
- Scheduling of games and practices
- Transportation and daily allowances
- Access to tutoring
- Coaching
- Locker rooms
- Practice and competitive facilities
- Medical and training facilities and services
- Publicity
You have the right to have access to a gender equity coordinator to answer questions regarding gender equity laws.
You have the right to contact the State Department of Education and the California Interscholastic Federation to access information on gender equity laws.
You have the right to file a discrimination complaint with the California Department of Education or the United States Office for Civil Rights if you believe you have been discriminated against or received unequal treatment on the basis of sex. (Note: As of 2026, the California Office of Civil Rights — established under AB 715 — also provides resources and support for students experiencing gender discrimination in schools.)
You have the right to appeal to the California Department of Education if your school fails to issue a timely investigation report in response to a discrimination complaint. (California Education Code §262.3, as amended by AB 715, effective January 1, 2026)
You have the right to pursue civil remedies if you have been discriminated against.
You have the right to be protected against retaliation if you file a discrimination complaint.

WHEN DOES TITLE IX APPLY?

Title IX covers sexual harassment that happens in a school's "education program or activity." This includes locations, events, and circumstances where the school exercises substantial control over both the respondent (the person accused) and the context in which the alleged harassment occurred. Title IX applies only to conduct occurring against a person in the United States.

SEXUAL HARASSMENT

Title IX prohibits the following conduct on the basis of sex that satisfies one or more of the following:

Unwelcome conduct determined by a reasonable person to be so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it effectively denies a person equal access to the school's education program or activity.
A school employee conditioning educational benefits on participation in unwelcome sexual conduct (otherwise known as "Quid Pro Quo" harassment).
"Sexual assault," as defined in 20 U.S.C. §1092(f)(6)(A)(v); "dating violence," as defined in 34 U.S.C. §12291(a)(10); "domestic violence," as defined in 34 U.S.C. §12291(a)(8); or "stalking" as defined in 34 U.S.C. §12291(a)(30).

Note: If reported conduct does not meet the Title IX definition above, IvyTech may still address it under its own student or employee code of conduct and applicable California state law.

HOW TO FILE A COMPLAINT

Download the ITCS Complaint Form

Any student who is currently participating in, or attempting to participate in, IvyTech's education program or activity may file a formal Title IX complaint. The Title IX Coordinator may also file a formal complaint on behalf of the school.

Step 1: Report the incident. Contact the Title IX Coordinator directly, or submit a written complaint using the ITCS Complaint Form You may also report to any school employee — all IvyTech employees are required to notify the Title IX Coordinator upon receiving a report of potential sex discrimination.

Step 2: Complete the Complaint Form. Be as specific as possible. Include: the date(s) of the incident(s), a description of what occurred, the name(s) of the person(s) involved, and the name(s) of any witnesses. You may attach additional materials to support your complaint.

Step 3: Submit the form. Sign and email the completed form to the Title IX Coordinator, Geoff Frankl: mrfrankl@ivytechcs.org, or to any school leadership.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER YOU FILE?

Upon receiving a report, the Title IX Coordinator will promptly contact you to:

Discuss the availability of supportive measures (such as schedule changes, counseling, or other assistance), which are available with or without filing a formal complaint;
Explain the formal grievance process; and
Consider your wishes regarding next steps.

IvyTech's grievance process includes a thorough and impartial investigation. Both the complainant and respondent are treated fairly throughout the process. The respondent is presumed not responsible until a determination is made following the grievance process. The burden of proof rests with the school, not the parties.

After a formal complaint is filed, both parties may agree to pursue an informal resolution (such as mediation), except in cases where a school employee is accused of harassing a student; those cases must proceed through the formal process.

California Appeal Right (AB 715, effective January 1, 2026): If IvyTech fails to issue an investigation report within the required timeframe, either party has the right to appeal that failure to the California Department of Education.

To view the Title IX Policy in detail, click on the following link: Title IX Policy.

If you have questions regarding the complaint process and/or complaint form, please contact the Title IX Coordinator:

Geoff Frankl, Director of Operations
6591 Collins Drive, set. E4
Moorpark, CA 93021
Phone: 805-222-5188
Fax: 805-426-8245

FURTHER INFORMATION OR ASSISTANCE

We encourage you to speak to the administration at IvyTech. However, the following resources are available for support:

Title IX Complaint Form