This message is in response to the Dialogue with the Experts on Technology
and Equity, July 16-20, 2001.
I read with interest the postings on the technology discussion, and I'm
sorry I wasn't able to post while the discussion was still going on. I did
want to point out, though, the importance of focusing not just on societal
issues (like the media and Barbie), but also on what is happening in the
schools. For instance, women and girls in technology classrooms often
report that they must "prove themselves" to their male classmates, and that
they face resistance or are ridiculed for their attempts to engage in
technology. If this type of peer response is based on the girl's sex and
creates a hostile environment for her in the classroom (for instance, by
discouraging her from continuing in technology classes) then the school has
a responsibility under Title IX to take steps to remedy the harassment. Or
a woman or girl may be discouraged from enrolling in a technology program
by
the actions or statements of a counselor or teachers, or by recruiting
materials that make her feel unwelcome; Title IX prohibits discouraging a
student from enrolling in an educational program because of their sex, as
well as the use of recruiting or promotional materials that perpetuate
gender stereotypes (for instance, by showing all males in technical jobs,
and all females in clerical jobs). Title IX, along with state and local
equity laws, give advocates leverage to push schools to do more to meet
their obligations to help girls have equal access to technical
opportunities
and an equal chance to succeed in them.
I encourage everyone to look at the resources we have available on our
website, particularly the newly posted Parents' Checklist for Equality, at
http://www.nwlc.org/pdf/parentschecklist.pdf. This tool helps parents
understand the question they should be asking their children and their
children's' schools in order to assess equity in career preparation. (I
also have a slightly modified version that I prepared for educators --
please let me know if you would like a copy.) Keep an eye on the Education
section of our website (http://www.nwlc.org/display.cfm?section=education),
as we will soon be posting a list of resources for individuals or groups
interested in gender equity in career and technical education.
Kathleen Keller
National Women's Law Center
kkeller@nwlc.org
202-588-5180
www.nwlc.org
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