Compliance Coordinators

To ensure that each student has equal access to public education without discrimination, all Washington State School Districts and approved charter schools must have a Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator, Title IX Compliance Coordinator, and Section 504 Compliance Coordinator. Each must have training to prepare them to meet requirements that come with their coordinator role.

Training Resources for Coordinators

Civil Rights Coordinator

Title IX Coordinator

Identifying and Responding to Sex-Based Discrimination and Harassment (Including Sexual Harassment)*

  • Responding to Discriminatory Harassment and Bias in Schools Webinar | Handout (November 2022). Some of the most common questions we hear from educators and parents are about what a school should be doing to address discrimination and bias that are raised in the school community or in a harassment, intimidation, and bullying (HIB) complaint. When does a HIB incident or complaint indicate discrimination may be occurring, and what is your school district’s legal obligation to respond? This webinar explains how school districts must respond to discriminatory harassment and shares local processes, tools, and best practices that can be used to prevent and respond to bias and discriminatory harassment. 

*Numerous other technical assistance documents that can be used for self-training are available on OCR’s Title IX and Sex Discrimination webpage, including resources relating to online/digital sexual harassment and on responding to sexual harassment under the recently reinstated 2020 Title IX Rules. 

Sex Equity in Athletics

  • Title IX’s Three-Part Test Webinar (November 2022) | Handout (April 2025). The Three-Part Test is the primary way schools assess whether their athletic programs are accommodating the interests and abilities of male and female student-athletes and providing them with equal participation opportunities. Learn how to evaluate your athletics programs for sex equity using the different tools OSPI has created.
  • Title IX Annual Athletic Evaluation Webinar (November 2022) | Handout (April 2025). The annual athletics evaluation is how schools assess whether they are providing equal benefits and treatment to male and female student-athletes, and specifically how Title IX applies to outside sources of funding, such as donations, fundraisers, and booster clubs.

 Section 504 Coordinator                                                

Job Descriptions

Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator

Under Washington law, all school districts must designate at least one employee to be responsible for monitoring and coordinating the district’s compliance with state nondiscrimination laws (chapters 28A.640 and 28A.642 RCW, and chapter 392-190 WAC). This employee also investigates complaints alleging discrimination on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, and the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability.

Section 504/ADA Coordinator

Under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, each school district that receives federal financial assistance must designate at least one employee to coordinate the district’s compliance with its responsibilities under Section 504, regarding disability discrimination. If a district has 50 or more employees, it must also designate at least one employee to coordinate the district’s compliance with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Most school districts designate one employee to serve both of these roles.

Title IX/Sex Equity Officer

Under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, each school district that receives federal financial assistance must designate at least one employee to coordinate the district’s compliance with its responsibilities under Title IX, as well as state civil rights requirements regarding sex discrimination and sexual harassment (chapters 28A.640 RCW and 392-190 WAC). The Title IX/Sex Equity Officer also investigates complaints alleging Title IX violations, sex discrimination, and sexual harassment.

Resources