[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1997, Book I)]
[June 17, 1997]
[Pages 755-756]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Memorandum on Strengthening Title IX Enforcement and Addressing 
Discrimination on the Basis of Sex, Race, Color, and National Origin
June 17, 1997

Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies

Subject: Strengthening Title IX Enforcement and Addressing 
Discrimination on the Basis of Sex, Race, Color, and National Origin in 
Federally Conducted Education Programs and Activities

    As we commemorate the 25th anniversary of Title IX of the Education 
Amendments of 1972, we should pause to recognize the significant 
progress our Nation has made in increasing educational possibilities for 
women and girls and recommit ourselves to the goals of this important 
legislation. Title IX has broken down barriers and expanded 
opportunities--opening classroom doors, playing fields, and even the 
frontiers of space to women and girls across this country.
    My Administration is working hard to expand further opportunities 
for women and girls. We have stepped up enforcement of civil rights 
statutes in areas such as access to advanced math and science programs. 
We have issued policy guidance on racial and sexual harassment and on 
ensuring equal opportunities in intercollegiate athletics. We have 
aggressively litigated cases presenting significant issues of 
discrimination, including cases challenging the exclusion of women from 
the Virginia Military Institute and the Citadel. My Administration has 
also sponsored an education campaign to help young girls build skills, 
confidence, and good health. Finally, my Administration has reaped the 
benefits of an ever-increasing pool of superbly qualified women, making 
it possible for me to appoint record numbers of women to my Cabinet, 
judicial posts, and to high levels of decision-making throughout the 
Federal Government.
    Yet more needs to be done. Our Nation can reach its full potential 
only when all of our citizens have the opportunity to reach their full 
potential and contribute to our society. Today, I am announcing two 
important next steps in our fight to reach true equality in education.
    First, I am directing executive departments and agencies to develop 
vigorous, new Title IX enforcement plans. We must ensure that all 
Federal agencies that provide financial assistance to education programs 
or activities take all necessary steps to ensure that programs and 
institutions receiving Federal money do not discriminate on the basis of 
sex.
    I therefore direct all heads of executive departments and agencies 
that provide financial assistance to education programs or activities, 
following consultation with the Attorney General, to report to me within 
90 days on measures to ensure effective enforcement of Title IX. This 
should include a description of department or agency priorities for 
enforcement, methods to make recipients of Federal financial assistance 
aware of their obligation not to discriminate, and grievance procedures 
to handle Title IX complaints. In accordance with Executive Order 12250, 
the Attorney General should coordinate implementation of these measures.
    Second, I am asking executive departments and agencies to take 
appropriate action against discrimination in education programs or 
activities conducted by the Federal Government. Currently, Title IX 
generally prohibits discrimination based on sex--and Title VI of the 
Civil Rights Act of 1964 generally prohibits discrimination on the basis 
of race, color, or national origin--in education programs or activities 
that receive Federal financial assistance. However, these laws do not 
apply to comparable education programs or activities that are conducted 
by the

[[Page 756]]

Federal Government. I believe it is essential that the Federal 
Government hold itself to the same principles of nondiscrimination in 
educational opportunities that we now apply to education programs and 
activities of State and local governments and private institutions 
receiving Federal financial assistance.
    Applying these principles to appropriate Federally conducted 
education programs and activities will complement existing laws and 
regulations that prohibit other forms of discrimination in Federally 
conducted education programs--including discrimination against people 
with disabilities (prohibited by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973) and 
discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin 
against Federal employees (prohibited by Title VII of the Civil Rights 
Act of 1964).
    I therefore direct all heads of executive departments and agencies 
to report to the Attorney General within 60 days:
       (1)  identifying and describing education programs or activities 
            conducted by the executive department or agency (including 
            the approximate budget and size of the program). An 
            education program or activity includes any civilian 
            academic, extracurricular, research, occupational training, 
            or other education activity conducted by the Federal 
            Government. Examples of Federally conducted education 
            programs would include elementary and secondary schools 
            operated by the Department of Defense for dependent children 
            of eligible personnel; Federally conducted educational 
            research; and educational fellowships awarded directly by 
            Federal agencies to students; and
       (2)  describing any substantive or procedural issues that might 
            arise under these education programs or activities related 
            to prohibiting discrimination based on sex, race, color, and 
            national origin in the program or activity, in order to aid 
            in determining where application of remedial efforts would 
            be appropriate.
    On the basis of these reports, I intend to issue an Executive order 
implementing appropriate restrictions against sex, race, color, and 
national origin discrimination in Federally conducted education 
programs. I direct the Attorney General to report to me within 60 days 
after receiving these reports with the results of her review and a 
proposal for an appropriate and effective Executive order.

                                                      William J. Clinton

Note: The memorandum referred to title IX of the Education Amendments of 
1972 (Public Law 92-318).