Yesterday, the Supreme Court issued a decision in Fitzgerald v. Barnstable, ruling that students who are discriminated against at school on the basis of sex can sue the school district under both Title IX, the law banning sex discrimination in schools receiving federal funding, and Section 1983, a civil rights statute that allows individuals to seek damages for discrimination. The 1st Circuit Court of Appeals had previously ruled that the student’s family could not sue under both laws.
The decision (PDF) was unanimous and written by Justice Samuel Alito. It’s a victory for Title IX advocates, and we’re glad the Supreme Court rectified the lower court’s ruling.
