This is the time of year when K-12 schools collect the experience of the prior year and update their student handbooks. Because several federal agencies offer sample notices that they would like to see in student/parent handbooks, it makes good sense to look at those sites.
The Office of Civil Rights (OCR) in the United States Department of Education (USDoE) has amended its suggested “Sample Notice of Non-discrimination” to include a specific reference to duties enforcing the Boy Scouts of America Equal Access Act. So OCR now enforces Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (race), Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (sex), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (disability), the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 (age) and the Boy Scouts of America Equal Access Act (equal access to meet on school premises or in school facilities for the Boy Scouts of America and other designated youth groups). To learn more from the OCR web site, go to: http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/nondisc.html#ftn1.
The following sample notice of non-discrimination meets the minimum requirements of the regulations enforced by OCR:
The _______ School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Name and/or Title; Address; Telephone #.
