Which proposed budget cut would most likely violate Title IX if it affects gender equity?

• A. Eliminating less-popular sports, including girls' field hockey, to maintain funding for the football program
• B. Reducing the number of AP course offerings
• C. Cutting after-school tutoring for all students
• D. Closing the school library

Answer: (A)

Title IX requires that schools provide equal athletic opportunities for male and female students and avoid discriminatory use of funds in programs that receive federal support. Eliminating girls’ sports, such as girls’ field hockey, to maintain funding for the football program would reduce opportunities for female athletes while keeping or expanding opportunities for male athletes, which breaches that equity principle. This is exactly the kind of gender-based disparity in athletics that Title IX aims to prevent. The other proposed budget cuts don’t specifically target athletic opportunities by gender in the same way and thus don’t raise the same Title IX concerns.