Title IX turns 40 years old

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Title IX, the landmark 1972 law that banned sexual discrimination in educational programs that receive federal funds, turns 40 years old. It helped clear the way for girls to participate in sports on an equal footing with boys.

In 1972, there were 295,000 girls who competed in high school sports and 3.67 million boys. In 2010-11, girls’ participation had risen to 3.2 million and boys’ to 4.5 million.

The National Women’s Law Center has put together a state-by-state rundown on participation of girls in sports.

California ranks No. 35 in a survey looking at participation gaps of 10 percentage points or higher as reported by high schools, according to the law center.

Though equality with boys hasn’t been reached, the gap has clearly narrowed and there’s more work to be done.

-- Eric Sondheimer