Title IX Turns 50

 A lot happened fifty years ago, in 1972. Montana adopted a new state constitution (more on this in a later post). Following a grassroots, community effort, the federal government designated the Scapegoat Wilderness, which became the first citizen-initiated wilderness area in the nation. There was also Watergate, the Munich Olympics terrorist attack, and the signing of a treaty with the Soviet Union limiting the numbers of intercontinental ballistic missiles. And Congress passed Title IX. 

This historic piece of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibited "sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity) discrimination in any educational program or activity receiving federal financial assistance." (HHS.gov) It initiated a sea change for girls and women--and the culture at large--and is a great way to explore how legislation can affect everyday life.

Although Title IX was, and is, about much more than sports, high school sports impact so many students that it is a great starting point for exploring this law.  A few years back, we created a lesson about Title IX, which we called Women and Sports: Tracking Change Over Time.  

I love this lesson: After examining a photo of a women’s basketball game in Missoula circa 1900 using Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS), students read an essay to learn about the ways that Title IX changed girls’ opportunities to participate in school sports. They then conduct a survey of their community and analyze the data they collect to see how Title IX affected their community.

A few notes: We say it's for grades 4-8--but it requires students to write and think about percentages, so it's really for grades 5 and up (probably grades 6 and up). The lesson plan is EASILY adaptable to high school, especially if you substitute this short article for the simplified version we printed in the lesson plan and jettison the reading comprehension piece.

I've had a hard time getting teachers to teach this lesson--I think because I mis-graded it, but also because some social studies teachers (not you, I'm sure) are a teensy bit afraid of math. But the math is actually very easy, and I'd argue it's important to provide students real life examples of how mathematics can help us understand the world around us. 

So I'm issuing a challenge: On the fiftieth anniversary of Title IX, teach this lesson. Then send me your students' findings. We'll save them and add their research to our collection so future generations of historians can benefit from their work.