Supreme Court to Review Title IX Claims by 2 School Employees
Updated
Updated · CNN · May 18
Supreme Court to Review Title IX Claims by 2 School Employees
13 articles · Updated · CNN · May 18
The justices agreed to hear MaChelle Joseph’s appeal after the 11th Circuit barred the former Georgia Tech coach from suing under Title IX over alleged unequal support for women’s basketball.
At issue is whether employees at federally funded schools can use Title IX for sex-discrimination claims instead of Title VII, which carries extra procedural hurdles and caps damages.
The case is consolidated with a suit by former Augusta University professor Thomas Crowther, whose faculty appointment was not renewed in 2021 after misconduct allegations he denies.
A ruling could reshape liability for public schools nationwide by either opening a broader path to larger employment-discrimination awards or closing that route entirely.
Will a coach’s lawsuit decide who has the power to enforce America's civil rights laws?
Could the Supreme Court give school employees a powerful new tool to fight workplace discrimination?
Title IX or Title VII? Supreme Court’s 2026-27 Review to Settle Employee Sex Discrimination Lawsuits in Federally Funded Schools
Overview
The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to review whether employees at federally funded educational institutions can sue for sex discrimination under Title IX, aiming to resolve a major split among federal appeals courts. This circuit split has caused inconsistent rulings and uncertainty about employee protections. The Supreme Court will hear arguments during its 2026-27 term, with a decision expected by July 2027. The case follows employee appeals and a recommendation from the U.S. Solicitor General to address the issue, highlighting the urgent need for clarity on the rights of school employees under Title IX.