STUDENTS MIGHT BE sexually harassed in the classroom, in school corridors, or on a college campus. Just as serious or repeated sexual harassment is illegal in the workplace, so too is serious or repeated sexual harassment illegal in educational settings.

Laws against sexual harassment in education are based on Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, a law passed by Congress that makes it illegal for public schools to discriminate on the basis of sex. According to Title IX, public schools are required to offer equal educational opportunities for both sexes. The courts have interpreted Title IX to mean that both sexes must be treated equally at school. Public schools must therefore assure that students of one sex are not seriously or repeatedly sexually harassed. If students are harassed in such a manner, according to the law, they are being...