Document ID: ./input/supremecourt_opinions/opinions/boundvolumes/524bv.pdf
Page Number: 342

524US2

Unit: $U87

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Cite as: 524 U. S. 274 (1998)

297

Stevens, J., dissenting

Moreover, because respondent assumed the statutory duty
set out in Title IX as part of its consideration for the receipt
of federal funds, that duty constitutes an afﬁrmative under-
taking that is more signiﬁcant than a mere promise to obey
the law.

Both of these considerations are reﬂected in our decision
in Franklin. Explaining why Title IX is violated when a
teacher sexually abuses a student, we wrote:

“Unquestionably, Title IX placed on the Gwinnett
County Public Schools the duty not to discriminate on
the basis of sex, and ‘when a supervisor sexually har-
asses a subordinate because of the subordinate’s sex,
that supervisor “discriminate[s]” on the basis of sex.’
Meritor Sav. Bank, FSB v. Vinson, 477 U. S. 57, 64
(1986). We believe the same rule should apply when a
teacher sexually harasses and abuses a student. Con-
gress surely did not intend for federal moneys to be ex-
pended to support the intentional actions it sought by
503 U. S., at 75 (emphasis added).
statute to proscribe.”

Franklin therefore stands for the proposition that sexual
harassment of a student by a teacher violates the duty—
assumed by the school district in exchange for federal
funds—not to discriminate on the basis of sex, and that a
student may recover damages from a school district for such
a violation.

Although the opinion the Court announces today is not en-
tirely clear, it does not purport to overrule Franklin. See
ante, at 281 (“Franklin thereby establishes that a school dis-
trict can be held liable in damages in cases involving a teach-
er’s sexual harassment of a student”). Moreover, I do not
understand the Court to question the conclusion that an in-
tentional violation of Title IX, of the type we recognized in

against the disbursement of public funds to educational institutions en-
gaged in discriminatory practices”).