Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Title IX Final Rule?

The Title IX Final Rule requires all Title IX coordinators, investigators, decision-makers, and appeals officers to receive eight hours of training on Title IX compliance and how to conduct an unbiased investigation.

The Title IX Final Rule requires a minimum of 50% of staff to be trained each year in Title IX compliance. Failure to comply can result in the loss of federal funds.

Learn more about how to stay Title IX compliant.

What are some of the biggest fears educators have about Title IX compliance?

Retaliation: Educators may fear that reporting Title IX incidents or violations will lead to retaliation from colleagues or superiors.
Lack of knowledge: Educators may feel ill-equipped to handle Title IX incidents and investigations, due to a lack of training and understanding of the laws and regulations.
False accusations: Educators may worry about being falsely accused of Title IX violations and the potential consequences that may result.
Time-consuming process: Educators may be concerned that handling Title IX incidents and investigations will take up a significant amount of their time and energy.
Negative impact on students: Educators may be worried that Title IX incidents and investigations will have a negative impact on the education and well-being of their students.

Learn more about how to stay Title IX compliant and how McGrath Training Solutions can help you and your school.

What are some of the best things that school administrators can do to ensure Title IX compliance?

Stay informed and educated: School administrators should stay informed about the latest Title IX laws and regulations, as well as best practices for preventing and responding to incidents of sexual harassment, misconduct, discrimination, and bullying.
Create a positive and inclusive school culture: School administrators should work to create a school culture that promotes respect and inclusion for all students, and that encourages students to speak up if they experience or witness discrimination or harassment. Check out our McGrath Response System™ for more information.
Communicate clearly and effectively: School administrators should have clear and effective communication skills to address and report incidents of discrimination and harassment and to support students who have been affected by these incidents.
Act quickly and appropriately: School administrators should take prompt and appropriate action when they receive reports of discrimination or harassment and should ensure that they follow all necessary protocols and procedures. Check out our Intake & Investigations Foundations Course for more information.
Provide support and resources: School administrators should provide students and staff who have been affected by discrimination or harassment with the support and resources they need to heal and move forward. This includes connecting them with counseling, medical, or legal resources.

Learn more about how to stay Title IX compliant and how McGrath Training Solutions can help you and your school.

Where have you done trainings? Do you offer your services nationwide?

McGrath Training Solutions has helped schools, districts, and professional associations across the United States and Canada.

Learn more about our team and the clients we serve here.

I know that my organization requires these kinds of trainings. How do I get the process started at my organization?

Safety and compliance always need a champion. If you are not the decision maker for your organization, contact us for more information. We can provide you with materials, help you set up initial discussions, and address immediate needs in your campus or district. Contact us and let’s talk about how we can help.

Do these preventative trainings actually work?

Yes. These trainings do two things that are necessary to create safety and compliance.

An engaged and alert staff is a staff that identifies and reports situations BEFORE they become serious incidents, putting student safety first.
Create DETERRENCE—that is, wrongdoers and those who do not want to work in a safe, well-trained, and compliant school will go elsewhere.

In a New York school district, compelled by a Federal District Court Order to address sexual harassment and misconduct of a principal toward students, the McGrath program was thoroughly vetted by the US Department of Justice for its ability to address compliance with these federal laws.

My staff is burnt out on trainings. What makes you different?

Our key approach is engaging buy-in. Many companies offer slates of trainings, but don’t offer customized programs that engage and empower your staff to make a difference. In addition, we are on the cutting edge of educational scholarship and understand the on-the-ground strategies (both good and bad) that educators use every day. We know the challenges you face and partner with you to succeed.

Click here to learn more about McGrath and why we are different.

Providing honest written feedback is a problem within my organization. Do you have resources that can help me get buy-in for your services from leadership?

We believe that engaging in transparent and compliant communication is the best way to ensure organizational safety and create a positive, vibrant culture. Contact us if you need help getting trainings within your organization.

What are some of the reasons that McGrath Training Solutions is the best in the industry?

Our Expertise: McGrath Training Solutions programs are led by experts in the field with significant knowledge and experience in compliant communication strategies, Title IX adherence, laws and regulations, and best practices for preventing and responding to incidents of bullying, sexual harassment, and misconduct.
The Relevance of Our Information: McGrath’s training is tailored to the specific needs and concerns of educators in K-12 settings and provides practical, actionable strategies that educators can use to create safe and inclusive learning environments.
Engaging and Interactive Trainings: Our trainings are engaging and interactive, with a variety of teaching methods and activities to keep participants engaged and motivated to learn.
Up-to-date Information and Robust Follow-up: We stay current with the latest laws, regulations, and best practices, and update regularly to ensure that educators are equipped with the most current information and guidance.
Train the Trainer Programs Embed Compliance: Our SUCCEED with TRUE-SPEAK™ and McGrath Response System™ “train the trainer” programs ensure that you have a trained resource on-site in your district or organization who can help employees address issues immediately.
Positive feedback from past participants: Our testimonials speak for themselves. Our trainings have received positive feedback from past participants who have reported that our programs were informative and helpful and made them feel more confident in addressing and reporting harassment, misconduct, bullying, and discrimination concerns and complaints and difficult communication situations.

Click here to learn more.

What do you recommend as a “starter package” for a campus?

Every district and organization has unique needs. Contact us to learn how we can help.

How often does my organization need the trainings?

The new Title IX Rule says that 50% of school staff must receive Title IX training every year.

For non-Title IX compliance (harassment, bullying, discrimination), review your organization’s policies and state laws to determine the required training and frequency.

Start with our sexual misconduct self-assessment, and contact us to learn more.

What trainings do you offer for students and parents?

The McGrath Response System™ includes student awareness and response to sexual harassment and other issues that students need to be equipped to address.

We offer parent communications and resources so that parents are equipped with how to recognize harassment, misconduct, bullying, and discrimination and how to make a report.

Are your courses certified by any licensing body?

Do you have testimonials or endorsements?

Yes. We have glowing endorsements from districts, schools, and professional associations nationwide. See here.

Can I attend one of your trainings on another school’s campus?

Yes. We offer trainings at various locations throughout the year. Review our training schedule or contact us to learn more about our upcoming training opportunities.

Who may attend the training that I contract for my organization?

SUCCEED with TRUE-SPEAK™ is designed for administrators, directors, supervisors, principals, assistant principals, or anyone who supervises others.

The McGrath Response System™ Intake and Investigation course is designed for administrators, complaint managers, human resource directors, risk managers, Title IX Coordinators, investigators, decisions makers, appeals officers, and anyone who handles the intake of concerns and complaints (harassment, misconduct, bullying or discrimination).

The McGrath Response System™ Staff Awareness course is a 90-minute training designed for all school staff.

What is your follow-up care? What if I have questions or issues that arise after the training?

We offer follow-up trainings for The McGrath Response System™ and SUCCEED with TRUE-SPEAK™ programs. We also offer student-specific training to support our educator-level sexual harassment awareness trainings. We also recommend training professionals in your district to deliver the McGrath Trainings, so that you have an on-site expert to help your staff BEFORE situations arise.

Who are your trainers and do they have on-the-job experience in school administration?

Our trainers are the best of the best: Campus, district, and organizational leaders and specialists who have decades of experience in compliance and “in the trenches” work on campuses.

Do you offer “train the trainer” programs so that we can bring your programs on campus, on demand?

Yes. Studies have shown (and common sense tells us) that training leaders within an organization expands the depth of knowledge of compliance and gives your campus professionals an added layer of security: an on-the-spot expert on compliance, Title IX, and communication. Learn more about our instructor certifications and train-the-trainer approach.

Will we get parent pushback with Title IX compliance training?

Title IX compliance ensures that students on your campus are safe from discrimination, harassment, and abuse. We have found that parents are enthusiastic about safe campuses and empowered students.

Do you offer training online? And if so, is the training live and interactive, or pre-recorded?

Yes. We offer trainings online with the exception of our instructor certification course. All other trainings are offered online, in-person or hybrid. Contact us to learn more about customized training solutions.

My district is in the midst of a lawsuit now. Are you still able to help us?

Yes. McGrath Training Solutions can offer assistance in neutral, third-party investigation, expert testimony, and compliance consulting. Learn more about our consulting services here.

My staff is already overburdened. Does a Title IX coordinator need to be a unique position, or may another staffer take on that responsibility?

Often, a district administrator is assigned to be a Title IX Coordinator in addition to their other duties. However, the intake and investigation of concerns and complaints can be time-consuming. We recommend not adding this position to someone who already has 100% of their time allocated to another position.

How long do these trainings last?

All of our programs can be customized to the needs of your district or organization.

Our McGrath Response System™ Intake & Investigations Foundations Course is a 12-hour training program offered in-person (2-day) or online, with one or multiple seats. We also offer a 90-minute (in-person or online) Staff Awareness and Response training addressing bullying, discrimination, sexual harassment and abuse. This meets Title IX regulations which require 8 hours of training for designated leaders and awareness training for your school employees. We also offer an Instructor Certification Course (or “Train-the-Trainer) which is 3 days (18 hours), available in-person, hybrid or online.

Our SUCCEED with TRUE-SPEAK™ Foundations Course is a twelve-hour training program offered in-person (two-days) or online, with one or multiple seats. We also offer an Instructor Certification Course (or “Train-the-Trainer) which is 3 days (18 hours), available in-person, hybrid or online.