Final answer:
The Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act of 1994 requires coeducational colleges and universities to provide transparent reporting on gender equity in athletic programs as a follow-up to Title IX, to ensure fair opportunities and resources for both male and female athletes.
Step-by-step explanation:
Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act of 1994 (EADA)
The Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act of 1994 (EADA) was designed to hold American coeducational colleges and universities accountable for providing equitable athletic opportunities to both men and women. It was enacted as a follow-up to the landmark Title IX legislation which mandates that no person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance. The EADA requires that institutions that receive federal funds and have an intercollegiate athletic program disclose gender equity information about their athletic programs to assist prospective students in making enrollment decisions and to promote transparency and accountability.
In the broader context of anti-discrimination laws such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, and education-focused statutes like the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the EADA plays a crucial role in ensuring equity in higher education athletics. Although Title IX greatly increased opportunities in education and sports for women, debates and challenges continue to surface regarding the distribution of funds that still see significant disparities in athletic opportunities and resources between male and female athletes.
The EADA's provisions directly address these concerns by requiring schools to report on various aspects of their athletic programs, including the number of teams and their gender composition, financial information related to expenditures and athletic scholarships, and the revenues generated by each team. Schools must make this information available to students, prospective students, and the public in order to foster fair and equitable treatment in college athletics and assist in monitoring enforcement of Title IX regulations.