UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION OFFICE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS 400 MARYLAND WASHINGTON, A VENUE, SW DC 20202-1475 REGION XI NORTH CAROLINA SOUTH CAROLINA VIRGINIA WASHINGTON, D.C. November 26, 2012 Re: OCR Complaint 11-12-1457 This is to notify you that the U.S. Department of Education (Department), Office for Civil Rights (OCR), has carefully evaluated the above-referenced complaint you filed with OCR on May 9, 2012, against the District of Columbia Public Schools (District) alleging discrimination on the basis of sex. We conducted the evaluation in accordance with OCR's Case Processing Manual to determine whether to open the complaint for investigation. We have determined that we have the authority to investigate this complaint. Specifically, the complaint and your supporting documentation allege that the District subjects high school.girls to discrimination on the basis of sex because the selection of interscholastic sports at-the District's high schools-does not effectively accommodate the interests and-abilities of members of both sexes to the extent necessary to provide equal athletic opportunity .. OCR is responsible for enforcing Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972,20 U.S.C. ? 1681 (Title IX), and its implementing regulation, 34 C.F.R. Part 106. Title IX prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in any education program or activity operated by a recipient of Federal financial assistance. As a recipient of Federal financial assistance from the Department, the District is subject to Title IX. Additional information about the laws OCR enforces is available on our website at http://www.ed.gov/ocr. Because OCR has determined that it has jurisdiction and that the complaint was filed timely, it is opening this complaint for investigation. Please note that opening the complaint for investigation in no way implies that OCR has made a determination with regard to its merits. During the investigation, OCR is a neutral fact-finder, collecting and analyzing relevant evidence from the complainant, the recipient, and other sources, as appropriate. OCR will ensure that its investigation is legally sufficient and is dispositive of the complaint allegation, in accordance with the provisions of Article III of the Case Processing Manual, which is available on our website at http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/ocrcpm.html. When appropriate, a complaint may be resolved before the conclusion of an investigation after the recipient expresses ari interest to OCR to resolve the complaint. In such cases, a resolution: agreement signed by the recipient and submitted to OCR must be aligned with the complaint allegation(s) and/or the information obtained during the investigation and it must be consistent with applicable regulations. The Department a/Education's mission. In} fostering is to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness educational excellence and ensuring equal access. www.ed.gov Page 2 of2 Information about this resolution option is provided in the enclosure to this letter. We will communicate with you periodically regarding the status of this complaint. have any questions, please contact me at 202-453-5924 or at Dale.Rhines@ed.gov. Sincerely, Dale Rhines Program Manager Office for Civil Rights Washington, DC Office Enclosure If you