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from the office of
Senator Edward M. Kennedy
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STATEMENT OF SENATOR EDWARD M. KENNEDY ON GENDER-EQUITY LEGISLATION

September 15, 1993

As we work to improve all aspects of education, one of the most serious 
challenges we face is the gender inequality that pervades education. The 
landmark 1992 study by the American Association of University Women refutes the 
common assumption that boys and girls are treated equally in our educational 
system. Clearly, they are not.

Despite the provisions of Title IX prohibiting sex discrimination in schools 
receiving federal funds, we continue to see differences in the educational 
achievement of boys and girls. Different teacher practices and different 
expectations result in much lower performance by girls on standardized tests 
especially in math and science.

The second class stigma is perpetuated through colleges and into the workplace. 
The end result is that women have less opportunity than men throughout their 
careers. It is no coincidence that women earn only $0.45 for every dollar 
earned by men, even though they constitute nearly half the workforce. In a 
sense, the glass ceiling is put in place in the school room, and that is the 
place where we must do more to dismantle it.

The 1993 Gender Equity Education bills address these problems systematically 
and comprehensively. The principal provisions will encourage leadership 
training programs for girls; improve research on equity issues; improve the 
quality of math and science instruction; enhance dropout prevention programs; 
reduce the incidence of sexual harassment in schools; provide grants to schools 
to implement gender equity programs; and require colleges that receive federal 
funds to provide data on women's participation in intercollegiate athletics.

We will address many of these issues as part of reauthorization of the 
Elementary and Secondary School Act. Wherever possible, we intend to 
incorporate gender-equity provisions in all federal education programs.

The nation's future depends on better education for all students -- and when we 
say all, we mean all. It is time to eliminate gender bias from all aspects of 
education, at all levels, and for all women.