Elementary and Secondary Education Task Force

The Elementary Secondary Task Force focuses on ensuring gender equity in all aspects of elementary secondary education. Since 1965, the Elementary Secondary Education Act (ESEA) has governed federal education programs for kindergarten through 12th grade. Congress is required to review the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) every five years -- the 107th Congress is responsible for making changes to address issues facing students in our public schools. During ESEA reauthorization in 1994, NCWGE was integral in ensuring that the Women's Educational Equity Act (WEEA) was reauthorized; that teachers were trained in gender equitable practices; and that dropout prevention and sexual harassment were addressed in schools. In the 2001 reauthorization, NCWGE will work to maintain the gender equity provisions included in ESEA in 1994, and add provisions to ensure that teachers are trained to take into consideration the different learning needs and exposures of girls in technology; reduce the incidence of sexual harassment and abuse in schools through training for teachers and administrators in how to handle and recognize sexual harassment; and expand provisions to retain pregnant and parenting teens in school. This task force is chaired by the American Association for University Women.

Higher Education Task Force

The Higher Education Task Force focuses on ensuring that money is allocated for higher education programs that help students afford the cost of attending college. The task force advocates for increased funds for (1) need-based grant programs for students; and (2) the CAMPIS (Child-care Access Means Parents In School) program. The task force also monitors the implementation of provisions of the Higher Education Amendments of 1998, such as the new reporting requirements under the Campus Crime and Security Act and the Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act. This task force is chaired by the United States Students Association.

Vocational Education and Workforce Training Task Force

The vocational education and training task force aims to increase recognition of the value of and the opportunities available in vocational and technical instruction for women and girls. The task force advocates for policies and support programs that work to improve the academic, vocational and technical skills of women and girls in order to strengthen education to better prepare them for lasting and rewarding employment, and lifelong learning in today's changing workplace. The efforts of the task force include analyzing and monitoring legislation pertinent to vocational education and training initiatives such as the Carl Perkins Act, the Workforce Investment Act, and the reauthorization language surrounding Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF). This task force is chaired by Women Work!

Athletics Task Force

The athletics task force works to ensure that women and girls receive equal opportunities in athletics at both the secondary school and college levels. The task force's advocacy centers on Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and other laws mandating gender equity in athletics. Its goals include advocating for strong enforcement of Title IX; making widely available gender equity in athletics information that colleges are required to disclose and pushing for such data collection/disclosure by secondary schools; and generally promoting athletic opportunities for women and girls. This task force is chaired by the National Women's Law Center.

Testing Task Force

The testing task force has been reactivated in 2001, due to the central role that standardized tests have taken in the education reform movement. The goal of this task force is to ensure that tests are not used as the sole criterion for making important educational decisions about opportunities and advancements for students. To help achieve this goal, the task force will advocate for strong enforcement of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 in the area of testing. The task force will also monitor the impact on women and girls across race and ethnic categories of the use of: (1) the SAT and ACT for determining the award of college scholarships and (2) high-stakes tests in the K-12 arena. This task force is chaired by the National Women's Law Center.