Tracking the progress of NCAA Division II and NCAA Division III athletic programs toward Title IX compliance

The purpose of the study was to determine the degree to which smaller schools have found Title IX compliance attainable or difficult. The sub-topics of the study focused on several areas in the athletic departments of these institutions: (a) the number of male and female varsity sports sponsored; (b) the representation of female administrators and male and female coaches; (c) proportionality between the athletic opportunities for women and the total female undergraduate enrollment; (d) the school's commitment to gender equity, and (e) the equitable allotment of scholarships to males and females. A selected group of 50 NCAA Division II and 50 Division III Athletic Directors were sent the Title IX questionnaire. Fifty-five percent of the surveys were returned, 43.6% from Division II and 56.4% from Division III. The results of the study will help other Division II and Division III schools by serving as a model for attaining gender equity according to Title IX. This will be a solid tool of reference for these institutions to have in order to measure their own progress with that of other schools their size. They will be able to determine where their institution is presently from the data presented, where it is headed, and what steps it will need to take in reaching full compliance. Not only can this knowledge benefit athletic departments, but it may directly affect the male and female student-athletes within the department, allowing them a greater opportunity to participate in athletics.