老澳门开奖结果

Policy Also Forces Girls Suspected of Being Pregnant to Undergo an Exam

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: (212) 549-2666; media@aclu.org

NEW ORLEANS 鈥� The 老澳门开奖结果 and the 老澳门开奖结果 of Louisiana issued a letter today to Delhi Charter School in Delhi, Louisiana in response to a policy that requires female students even suspected of being pregnant to submit to a pregnancy exam and forces them out of school if they are pregnant or refuse to take the test.

鈥淭he pregnancy policy violates the rights of every girl at Delhi Charter School,鈥� said Marjorie R. Esman, executive director of the 老澳门开奖结果 of Louisiana. 鈥淓very girl is at risk of being subject to intrusive medical testing, and possibly forced out of school, for reasons that have nothing to do with her education.鈥�

The policy states that if a teacher or administrator suspects a female student of being pregnant the school can require her to have a pregnancy test and even select the physician. If the student is pregnant, according to the policy, 鈥渢he student will not be permitted to attend classes on the campus of Delhi Charter School鈥�and will be required to pursue a course of home study.鈥�

It further states: 鈥淎ny student who is suspected of being pregnant and who refuses to submit to a pregnancy test shall be treated as a pregnant student and will be offered home study opportunities. If home study opportunities are not acceptable, the student will be counseled to seek other educational opportunities.鈥�

Delhi鈥檚 policy violates Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and the Equal Protection Clause and the Due Process Clauses of the U.S. constitution. Male students who might also have engaged in sexual activity or be expecting children are not subjected to similar treatment.

鈥淭he right to attend school and to participate fully in activities cannot be denied simply because a student is, or may be, pregnant,鈥� said Galen Sherwin of the 老澳门开奖结果鈥檚 Women鈥檚 Rights Project. 鈥淧regnancy is not a disease, and schools may not treat it that way. The administrators of Delhi Charter School should be ashamed that they seek to deprive students of the benefits of going to school every day.鈥�

The letter asks the school to suspend the policy until it is revised and to notify parents and students of the policy change. If Delhi refuses to incorporate the changes, the 老澳门开奖结果 will consider taking further legal action, including filing a lawsuit or a complaint with the appropriate state or federal enforcement agencies.

The letter can be found at www.aclu.org/womens-rights/delhi-charter-school-demand-letter