UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

OFFICE FOR CIVIL IUGIITS- REGION VI

Mr. Mike Miles, Superintendent
Dallas Independent School District
3700 Ross Avenue
Dallas, TX 75204
RE: Dallas Independent School District
Case No. 06121198
Dear Mr. Miles:
This letter is to notify you of the determination of the U.S. Department of Education
(Department), Office for Civil Rights (OCR), Dallas Office, regarding the above-referenced
complaint filed against the Dallas Independent School District (DISD) Dallas, Texas. The
complainant alleged that the DISD discriminated against female students on the basis of sex
when, on or about February 9, 2012, the DISD allowed approximately five-thousand 5th grade
male students to attend a field trip to view a movie (Red Tails) while 5th grade female students,
who attended the same school(s), were excluded from the field trip.
This agency is responsible for determining whether entities that receive or benefit from Federal
financial assistance from the Department, or an agency that has delegated investigative authority
to the Department, are in compliance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and its
implementing regulation at 34 C.F.R. Part 106, which prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex.
DISD is a recipient of Federal financial assistance from the Department. Therefore, OCR has
jurisdictional authority to investigate allegations of discrimination under Title IX.
In a letter to you dated March 22, 2012, OCR informed you that it had opened this complaint
allegation for resolution, and would investigate whether the DISD discriminated against 5th grade
female students on the basis of sex: in February 2012, when female students were excluded from
an off-campus field trip opportunity in which only 5th grade male students were allowed to attend,
in violation ofTitle IX implementing regulations, at 34 C.F.R. 106.31 and 106.34.
During OCR's complaint resolution proceedings, we conducted preliminary fact-finding
regarding the allegation in the alleged complaint. Specifically, on April 19, 2012, this office
spoke by telephone with the DISD designee who expressed an interest in resolving the
1<J9LJ BRYAN ST., SUITE lh20, OALI.AS, TX

'111<' of Educ;Jticm mis . .;ion to pmmtt student ,Jchicl '<'llll'llt ,md pr<'l'lr,Jtit l/1 tir compl'litinnt '-'"
liHI<rinli t.dut<Jtimwl excdlenn ;md cqu.JI ,JtH'-''
Page 2 - Mr. Mike Miles, Superintendent
complaint.' In an electronic message dated April 19th, the DISD designee confirmed the DISD's
interest in "negotiating a resolution agreement to resolve this complaint in a timely manner."
Accordingly, the DISD submitted the enclosed Resolution Agreement (Agreement), signed by
you on July 10,2012. The Agreement indicates that the DISD shall ensure that no students
(Male or Female) will be excluded from participation in, or be denied the benefits of, or be
subjected to discrimination under any district education program or activity on the basis of
sex/gender. More specifically, the Agreement provides that the DISD will ensure that the
educational benefits received by 5th grade boys and girls who participated and viewed the movies
Red Tails and Akee/ah and the Bee, respectively, or who engaged in some other school-sponsored
activity on or about February 9, 2012, will be provided to all 5th grade students regardless of
sex/gender (including the equal implementation of all curriculum objectives and designed lesson
plans). The Agreement further provides that the DISD will schedule Title IX training for its Title
IX Coordinators, DISD Administrators, and DISD elementary campus principals who will be
directly involved in organizing and making decisions with regard to students' education programs
and activities. Finally, the Agreement provides that this training will address the different types
of discrimination prohibited by Title IX (e.g., male and female different treatment, harassment
and hostile environment, etc.), and outline the applicable legal standards for conducting Title IX
discrimination complaint investigations.
OCR has determined that proper implementation of the Agreement will resolve the allegation and
issue in this complaint. OCR will also monitor implementation of the Agreement. Therefore,
progress reports with supporting documentation should be submitted as indicated in the
Agreement. Failure to comply could result in OCR reopening its investigation. Hence, effective
the date of this letter, OCR is closing the investigative portion of this case.
This letter sets forth OCR's detennination in an individual OCR case. This letter is not a formal
statement of OCR policy and should not be relied upon, cited, or construed as such. OCR's
formal policy statements are approved by a duly authorized OCR official and made available to
the public. The complainant may have the right to file a private suit in federal court whether or
not OCR finds a violation.
Under OCR procedures we are obligated to advise you that intimidation or retaliation against a
complainant is prohibited by regulations enforced by this agency. Specifically, the regulations
enforced by OCR, directly or by reference, state that no recipient or other person shall intimidate,
threaten, coerce or discriminate against any individual for the purpose of interfering with any
right or privilege secured by regulations enforced by OCR or because one has made a complaint,
testified, assisted or participated in any manner in an investigation, proceedings or hearing held in
connection with a complaint.
Under the Freedom of Information Act, it may be necessary to release this document and related
correspondence and records upon request. In the event that OCR receives such a request, we will
1
Pursuant to Article III, Section 302 of the OCR Case Processing Manual (CPM), a complaint may be resolved at any time, when. before the
conclusion of an investigation, the recipient e"prcsses an interest in resolving the complaint The process is voluntary. The provisions of the
resolution agreement will be aligned with the complaint allegations or the information obtained during the investigation, and will be consistent
with application regulations. A resolution agreement reached before the conclusion of an investigation will be monitored by OCR. The CPMmay
be accessed at:
Page 3 -Mr. Mike Miles, Superintendent
seek to protect, to the extent provided by law, personally identifiable information, which, if
released, could reasonably be, expected to constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy.
Thank you for your cooperation and that of your staff throughout the course of this investigation.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding this matter, you may contact either Ms. Patricia I.
Sinanan, Equal Opportunity Specialist, at (214) 661-9649, or Mr. Gregory D. McGhee,
Supervisory Attorney and Team Leader, at (214) 661-9600.
Enclosure: As Stated.
Sincerely,

Taylor D. August U
Regional Director, Dallas Office
Office for Civil Rights