OAR 581-021-0046: Program Compliance Standards

(1) The definitions in OAR 581-021-0045 apply to this rule. (2) Access to Course Offerings. A district shall not provide any course or otherwise carry out any of its educational programs or activities on a discriminatory basis or require or refuse participation therein by any of its students on such basis:. (a) This section does not prohibit grouping of students in any educational program or activity by ability as assessed by objective standards of individual performance;. (b) Where use of an objective standard of measuring skill or progress in an educational program has a discriminatory effect on persons as defined in OAR 581-021-0045, the district shall use appropriate standards which do not have such effect;. (c) This section does not prohibit separating students by sex within physical education classes or activities during participation in wrestling, boxing, rugby, ice hockey, football, basketball, soccer, and other sports the purpose or major activity of which involves bodily contact. (3) Employment Assistance. A district which actively assists any agency, organization, or person in making employment available to any of its students shall assure itself that such employment is made available without discrimination. (4) Marital Status. A district shall not discriminate against any student or exclude any student from its educational program or activity including any class or extracurricular activity on the basis of the student's marital status; however the student may request voluntarily to participate in a separate portion of the program or activity of the district. (5) Athletics. A district which operates or sponsors interscholastic club or intramural athletics shall provide equal athletic opportunity for members of all sexes, all age and ethnic groups, and persons with disabilities. In determining whether equal opportunities are available, the Superintendent of Public Instruction shall consider among other factors whether the selection of sports and levels of competition effectively accommodate the interests and abilities of all students. (6) Students Unable to Attend Because of Religious Beliefs. Any student who because of his or her religious beliefs is unable to attend classes on a particular day shall be excused from attendance requirements and from any examination or other assignment on that day. The student shall make up the examination or other assignment missed because of such absence. The absence shall not be counted for the purpose of an attendance policy that may result in exclusion, failure, or reduction of grade based upon a certain number of days. (7) Textbooks and Curriculum Material. Nothing in this rule shall be interpreted as requiring or prohibiting or abridging in any way the use of adopted textbook or curriculum material. However, where materials are found upon investigation to provide discriminatory impact on the basis of age, disability, national origin, race, color, marital status, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity, there should be established resources for employees and students of the district for supplemental alternative nondiscriminatory material. (8) Use of Appraisal and Counseling Materials. A district which uses testing or other materials for appraising or counseling students shall not use materials which discriminate on the basis of age, disability, national origin, race, color, marital status, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity, or use materials which permit or require different treatment of students on such basis unless such differences cover the same occupation and interest areas and the use of such different material is shown to be essential to the elimination of discrimination. Districts shall develop and use internal procedures for insuring that such materials may not discriminate. (9) Bilingual or Linguistically Different Students. Districts shall develop and implement a plan for identifying students whose primary language is other than English and shall provide such students with appropriate programs until they are able to use the English language in a manner that allows effective and relevant participation in regular classroom instruction and other educational activities. (10) Equal Educational Opportunity Plans. Districts shall develop and implement a plan which assures that all students have equal opportunity to participate in the educational programs and activities and equal access to facilities in the district. Said plan shall include courses and components which provide students with an understanding of the pluralistic realities of their society, including multi-cultural/racial/ethnic education and equity in portraying all classes protected under ORS 659.550. Upon the request of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, districts shall submit copies of such plans and other assurances as are deemed necessary and proper. (11) Dress Code. If a district has a formal or informal dress code policy, the policy must: (a) Not discriminate against members of a protected class, including age, disability, national origin, race, color, marital status, religion, sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity; (b) Be gender-affirming, racially affirming, and culturally affirming; (c) Provide, on a case-by-case basis, for reasonable accommodation of an individual based on the health and safety needs of the individual; and (d) When revised, be revised with input from members of protected classes, including age, disability, national origin, race, color, marital status, religion, sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity . (12) Interpretation of Rules. The Superintendent of Public Instruction may issue written interpretations concerning rules for nondiscrimination upon the written request of parties to a complaint at the district level.