Equity Quiz

The concept of equity is basic to American education. Even though Title IX has been a law for almost three decades, life in schools still rarely embraces the equitable and fair spirit of the law. Gender bias, while often unintentional and subtle, continues to shortchange students.

Use your "E.Q." (that's Equity Quotient!) to help educators "see" sexism. Give your school the following career education test. Is your school or educational program on the honor roll when it comes to educating female and male students for careers? Or does it need improvement? While this Equity Quiz is designed to assess secondary schools, it may be adapted for elementary or postsecondary institutions.

Do counselors encourage females to consider all careers, including those that are mostly done by men, such as computer technology or construction? Are male students invited to explore nontraditional careers such as teaching and nursing?
 

Do counseling materials and promotional events (including career days, parents’ nights, and visiting speakers) make an effort to show women working in jobs that are currently done mostly by men, like engineering or computer science, and men working in traditionally female jobs, such as nursing or social work?
 

Are male and female students (in the classroom or at school-sponsored activities) given the same kinds of assignments? Are they generally given an equal opportunity to learn?
 

Do classes or career programs have both males and females in them? For instance, are there females in the computer sciences courses and males enrolled in the family and parenting courses?
 

Does your school or program have a written policy against sex discrimination (including sexual harassment) that:
a) is widely available and easy for students to understand;
b) explains clearly what it prohibits; and
c) assures students who complain about harassment or discrimination of confidentiality?
 

Did your school make the "Equity Honor Roll"?  What effective gender fair practices did you discover? What gender biases did your assessment uncover?  What steps will your school and you take toward equity?

If your school or you would like assistance in creating a gender fair learning environment, the following organizations will help keep Title IX on your side!