'Please do better': Educators share concerns over proposed Title IX guidelines

U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos released proposed changes to Title IX guidelines in November, and during the 60-day comment period, many educators voiced concerns about the proposal, Education Week reports. One concern is the proposal may discourage school officials from responding to sexual harassment claims that take place off-campus – even if the impact of those actions affects a student’s life at school.Another worry is about the potentially narrower definition of sexual assault that critics say will cause confusion and force victims to suffer greater degrees of abuse. Education Week cites a comment from Sasha Pudelski, The School Superintendents Association's advocacy director, who wrote, "Students would be forced to endure repeated and escalating levels of abuse, from a student or teacher, before their schools would be required to investigate and stop the harassment."Others fear the proposal could limit which school officials are required to respond to sexual misconduct claims, Education Week reports. And if the responsibility is only to address complaints that fall within a school official’s “actual knowledge,” students who have trouble speaking up could be left feeling fragile or voiceless and wouldn't get the help they need. In her written comment, one teacher said, "Please do better for our children."