Pregnancy & Parenting
Pregnancy & Parenting
The Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) enforces Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX), which prohibits discrimination based on sex in education programs or activities that receive Federal financial assistance. The Department's Title IX regulations prohibit discrimination based on pregnancy and related conditions in institutions that receive Federal funds.
During the 88th Texas Legislature and 117th Congressional Session, several House and Senate Bills relating to higher education in Texas passed and were signed by the Governor between May 2023-June 2023. Below is a breakdown of the bills related to pregnant and parenting students in higher education:
Relating to designation of liaison officers to assist certain students who are parents.
Summary: Requires all public institutions of higher education to designate at least one employee to act as a liaison officer for current or incoming students who are the parent or guardian of a child younger than 18 years of age. Liaison officer provides assistance to resources for parenting studentsl.
Effective June 12, 2023. https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=88R&Bill=HB1361
Relating to protections for pregnant and parenting students enrolled in public institutions of higher education.
Summary: An institution of higher education may not require a pregnant or parenting student to take a leave of absence or withdraw from the student's degree or certificate program, limit their studies, participate in an alternative program, change the student's major, degree, or certificate programs, or regrain from joining or cease participating in any course or activity. Also, adds requirements on the instituion to provide specific accommodations to preganant and parenting students.
- May not require a pregnant or parenting student, solely because of the student’s status
as a pregnant or parenting student or due to issues related to the student’s pregnancy
or parenting, to:
- Take a leave of absence or withdraw from the student’s degree or certificate program;
- Limit the student’s studies;
- Participate in an alternative program;
- Change the student’s major, degree, or certificate program; or
- Refrain from joining or cease participating in any course, activity, or program at the institution.
- Shall provide reasonable accommodations to a pregnant student, including accommodations
that:
- Would be provided to a student with a temporary medical condition; or
- Are related to the health and safety of the student and the student’s unborn child, such as allowing the student to maintain a safe distance from substances, areas, and activities known to be hazardous to pregnant women or unborn children.
- Shall for reasons related to a student’s pregnancy, childbirth, or any resulting medical
status or condition:
- Excuse the student’s absence;
- Allow the student to make up missed assignments or assessments;
- Allow the student additional time to complete assignments in the same manner as the institution allows for a student with a temporary medical condition; and
- Provide the student with access to instructional materials and video recordings of lectures for classes for which the student has an excused absence under this section to the same extent that instructional materials and video recordings of lecturers are made available to any other student with an excused absence.
- Shall allow a pregnant or parenting student to:
- Take a leave of absence ; and
- If in good standing at the time the student takes a leave of absence, return to the student’s degree or certificate program in good academic standing without being required to reapply for admission.
- Shall adopt a policy for students on pregnancy and parenting discrimination. The policy
must:
- Be posted in an easily accessible, straightforward format on the institution’s internet website; and
- Be made available annually to faculty, staff, and employees of the institution.
Effective September 1, 2023. https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=88R&Bill=SB412
Relating to early registration for parenting students at public institutions of higher education.
Summary: Grants parenting students access to course registration prior to the general student population so they can ensure that thier class scheule aligns with the hours they have access to childcare. Begins with the registration for Spring 2024 semester.
Effective Sepetember 1, 2023. https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=88R&Bill=SB459
The regulations make clear that Title IX protects students and employees from discrimination based on pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, or recovery therefrom.
In addition, the College must assist a student with reasonable adjustment to continue their education. (U.S. Department of Education).
What does the term “Parenting Students” mean? A parenting student is a student enrolled at an institution of higher education who is the parent or legal guardian of a child under 18 years old.
How to Request Pregnancy/Parenting Support for Yourself or for a Student
There are many ways in which pregnant or parenting students may request support. These options include:
- Completing the pregnancy and parenting support form. After receiving the form our office will reach out to the student to discuss available college resources to help them navigate their pregnancy and parenting.
- Call 254-267-7135 or email pregnancyandparenting@rangercollege.edu indicating the request for pregnancy or parenting support for the student.
- Walk-in! Ms. Woolam's office is located in the Welcome Center on the Ranger Campus.
Pregnancy Support at Ranger College
Title IX protects students who are navigating pregnancy, childbirth, and related outcomes. This includes their partners too!
Ranger College is committed to removing barriers for pregnant and parenting students from fully engaging in their educational pursuits. If you are current or prospective student who is pregnant or a parent or legal guardian of a child under 18 years old, we are here to provide you with access to a range of supportive resources, including:
- Pre-registration: Access to early course registration before the general population to ensure that your class schedule aligns with the hours to childcare.
- Educational Support: Provide reasonable accommodations to a pregnant or parenting student such as excused absences due to pregnancy or childbirth for as long as your doctor says it is necessary. Allow students to return to the same academic and extracurricular status as before medical leave began, which should include giving them the opportunity to make up any work missed while the student was out. Provide pregnant students with the same special services it provides to students with temporary medical conditions. This includes homebound instruction/at-home tutoring/independent study, parking accommodation and desk accommodation.
- Resources: Provide assistance to on-campus and community resources such as healthcare, childcare, food security, affordable housing, employment, transportation, and student academic success strategies.
- Postpartum Recovery Support: Our office supports students during their postpartum recovery. This includes recovery from not only childbirth, but also loss of pregnancy, false pregnancy, and termination of pregnancy. The duration of this absence is determined between the student and their healthcare provider. The student must be allowed to return to their same academic standing and may not be academically penalized. There are many supportive measures for pregnant and parenting students, get in contact with your Pregnancy & Parenting Liaison to learn more on how we can support you!
- Breastfeeding & Nursing Mother Support: There are nursing mother rooms at each campus.
- Faculty & Staff Training: Ensure that faculty and staff understand the Title IX requirements related to excused absences/medical leave. Faculty may not refuse to allow a student to submit work after a missed deadline because of pregnancy or childbirth. If the professor's grading is based in part on class participation or attendance and a student missed class because of pregnancy or childbirth, the student should be allowed to make up the participation or attendance credits they didn't have the chance to earn.
Faculty/Staff Quick Reference for Supporting Student-Parents
As faculty and staff, we want to be empathetic and supportive to our students who are navigating pregnancy and parenting. Understand that the needs for each individual student during their pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum recovery are very different. Some pregnancies can be high risk, whereas others are not; some students may experience morning sickness, whereas others do not; some may have many doctors' appointments whereas others do not. We want to support our students and be understanding to their changing needs, supporting students with the understanding that every pregnancy is different.
It is the student's decision to disclose to you if they are pregnant. If a student discloses to you that are pregnant, please notify our office by completing the pregnancy support form. This allows our office to inform the students of those supportive measures that are available to them. Please be aware that all information is kept private and that our office will not disclose any information about a student's pregnancy or related medical conditions.
During a semester, our office may send you faculty notifications of excused absences or requests for extensions on coursework on behalf of the student who is pregnant and parenting. Understand that we have verified this with the student and that our office documentation is sufficient for excusing absences and requesting opportunities to make up any missed work. We ask that you work with the student to accommodate their needs so that they suffer no academic penalty because of their pregnancy or parenting.
If you have questions about faculty notifications or would like to request a Title IX Training Workshop on Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Students, please email the Pregnancy and Parenting Liaison at pregnancyandparenting@rangercollege.edu.