Title IX

Gender Discrimination 

Southwest Aeronautics, Mathematics, & Science Academy and federal law prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender. If students are treated differently based upon their gender, in academia or extracurricular activities, this treatment may be considered gender discrimination. Gender discrimination may include: academic programs, discipline, classroom assignment, physical education, grading and/or 

Racial Discrimination

The Southwest Aeronautics, Mathematics and Science Academy does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, disability, religion, age or any other protected class  in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups.  A person indicated in the staff section of the website has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies.

Racialized Aggression – Overt and intentional acts of racism involving students or staff is strictly prohibited. (Racialized Aggression is broadly defined as hostile, aggressive, derogatory, or negative attitudes and/or actions toward stigmatized or culturally marginalized groups.)  Violation of this policy will result in consequences at the discretion  of the school administration.

Sexual Harassment 

Sexual harassment is a form of gender discrimination as defined in the Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.
Sexual harassment: 

  1. Is a violation of federal law, and Southwest Aeronautics, Mathematics & Science Academy policy. 
  2. Is illegal under state human rights statutes and may be considered a criminal offense under state and local assault and child abuse law. 
  3. Includes sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and written or verbal conduct of a sexual nature -- this includes email correspondence. 

If behavior toward another student makes him or her feel intimidated, uncomfortable or if the student feels threatened, it may be considered sexual harassment even if the harasser did not intend for his or her actions to be offensive. 

Sexual harassment is considered to have occurred when: 

  1. Submission to that conduct or communication is made a term or condition, either explicitly or implicitly, of the academic status of a student or obtaining an education. 
  2. Submission to or rejection of that conduct or communication by an individual is used as a factor, which affects the academic standing or education of a student. 
  3. Conduct or communication has the purpose or effect of substantially or unreasonably interfering with the education of a student, or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive educational environment. 

Sexual Misconduct 

Sexual misconduct includes, but is not limited to: 

  1. Physical acts of aggression.
  2. Force or threat against another student. 
  3. Threatening to force or coerce sexual acts. 
  4. Touching of private/intimate parts of the body. 
  5. Coercing, forcing or attempting to coerce or force sexual intercourse. 

These acts should be reported to school personnel immediately.  Under state law, school personnel are required to report such acts to the local police department. 

Pregnancy 

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX) prohibits discrimination against pregnant or parenting teens. Title IX views teen pregnancy as a "medical condition", therefore pregnant teens: 

  1. May voluntarily elect to state at their home school during their pregnancy. 
  2. Are to receive a comparable curriculum and academic opportunities which may include on-line course at home. 
  3. Retain their academic standing, which cannot be altered due to their medical condition. 

 

Violation of Title IX

Complaints 

Any student, parent, or legal guardian, on behalf of his or her child, who believes he or she has been discriminated against on the basis of sex, gender, race, national origin or disability may file a written complaint. The school administration is obligated to investigate all Title IX complaints completely. 

These procedures do not deny any student or parent/legal guardian the right to pursue other avenues of recourse. 

Paula Gonzales 
505-604-6441
pgonzales@samsacademy.com 

Retaliation 

No student will suffer retaliation or intimidation for initiating a complaint with the school's administration. Retaliation against any student seeking assistance at school, filing a complaint, or participating in the investigative process is grounds for disciplinary action. It is the policy of the Southwest Aeronautics, Mathematics & Science Academy to respect the privacy of the complainant, the respondent, the accused, and the witnesses as much as possible, consistent with legal obligations to investigate, take appropriate action, and conform with any discovery or disclosure obligations.