The passage of this education amendment helped to create more opportunities for women and girls to participate in sport. ____________________________

The education amendment you're referring to is Title IX. Passed in 1972, it prohibits sex-based discrimination in any school or other education program that receives federal money. This includes most public schools from kindergarten through college and many private schools and colleges as well.

Here are the steps that led to more opportunities for women and girls in sports:

1. Passage of Title IX: The first step was the passage of the amendment itself in 1972. This law made it illegal for schools to discriminate on the basis of sex.

2. Implementation of Title IX: After the law was passed, schools had to implement it. This meant they had to provide equal opportunities for both sexes in all areas of education, including athletics.

3. Enforcement of Title IX: The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) of the U.S. Department of Education is responsible for enforcing Title IX. If a school is found to be in violation of Title IX, it can lose its federal funding.

4. Increased Participation: As a result of Title IX, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of women and girls participating in sports. Before Title IX, only 1 in 27 girls played varsity high school sports. Today, that number is 2 in 5.

5. Ongoing Challenges: Despite the progress made, challenges remain. Women's sports often receive less funding and attention than men's sports. However, the existence of Title IX provides a legal tool to challenge such disparities.