[Federal Register: July 11, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 133)]
[Notices]               
[Page 45961]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr11jy02-34]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

 
The Secretary of Education's Commission on Opportunity in 
Athletics; Notice of Establishment

AGENCY: Office for Civil Rights, Education.

ACTION: Notice of establishment of The Secretary of Education's 
Commission on Opportunity in Athletics.

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SUMMARY: The Secretary of Education announces his intention to 
establish the Secretary of Education's Commission on Opportunity in 
Athletics. The Commission will be governed by the Federal Advisory 
Committee Act (Pub. L. 92-463 as amended; 5 U.S.C.A. Appendix 2).
    Purpose: The Secretary has determined that the 30th anniversary of 
the passage of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 ("Title 
IX") is an appropriate time to review the application of current 
Federal standards for measuring equal opportunity for men and women and 
boys and girls to participate in athletics under Title IX. This 
landmark legislation prohibits recipients of Federal funds from 
discriminating on the basis of sex. Prior to the enactment of Title IX, 
schools and universities receiving federal funds were free to 
discriminate against women (and girls).
    Over the last 30 years, there has been a dramatic increase in the 
number of women's (and girls') athletic teams at both the high school 
and college levels. From 1981 to 1999, the total number of college 
women's teams increased by 66%. Despite these gains, many college 
administrators claim that the Department has failed to provide clear 
guidance on how colleges can comply with Title IX. The Secretary 
believes that it would be in the public interest to establish this 
Commission for the purpose of collecting information, analyzing issues, 
and obtaining broad public input directed at improving the application 
of current Federal standards for measuring equal opportunity for men 
and women and boys and girls to participate in athletics under Title 
IX.
    The Commission will produce a report, not later than January 31, 
2003, to the Secretary outlining its findings and any recommendations 
as to whether the Title IX standards should be revised, and if so, how 
the standards should be revised to improve the effectiveness of Title 
IX and to maintain and build upon the extraordinary progress that has 
resulted from its passage 30 years ago.
    The Commission will consist of not more than 15 members appointed 
by the Secretary from the public and private sectors, as well as up to 
three ex officio members from the Department of Education. The members 
shall include representatives of college, university, and school 
district officials, such as athletic directors, coaches, and other 
faculty, and representatives of intercollegiate and secondary school 
athletics; and may include researchers, state and local officials, and 
other persons with special expertise in intercollegiate and secondary 
school athletics or issues of equal educational opportunity. The 
membership of the Commission will be fairly balanced to reflect 
representation of a wide range of interests and perspectives relating 
to men's and women's (and boys' and girls') athletics. Members shall be 
appointed for the life of the Commission and the Secretary shall select 
one or more chairpersons from among the members of the Commission.
    For Additional Information: Contact Deborah Price, U.S. Department 
of Education, Washington, DC 20202. Telephone: (202) 708-9132.

    Dated: July 5, 2002.
Rod Paige,
Secretary of Education.
[FR Doc. 02-17467 Filed 7-10-02; 8:45 am]
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