Racial Justice in Education

By: National Education Association

Published: May 19, 2023

This toolkit originally appeared on NEA.org

How to use this toolkit

Learn about how racial bias in things like school resourcing and discipline impacts students of color.
Find out how your school can adopt anti-racist curriculum that offers a full picture of our nation's history.
Take action to advocate for racial justice at school, and to support educators who foster dialogue on racial inequality in our communities.

Viewing: Toolkit Section Title

Context

Most of us believe that every child, no matter what they look like or where they come from, deserves a safe, just, and welcoming school where they can thrive.

But certain politicians try to divide us by sending police to monitor and punish Black and Brown students in schools that have been denied funding to even cover the basics, while ensuring well-resourced schools with mostly white students have enrichment activities, teacher training, and parent engagement.

By joining together across race and place, we can rewrite the rules to ensure every student—whether Black, Brown, or White—has up-to-date learning materials that give a full picture of our nation’s history, the support of educators who are prepared to foster dialogue on racial justice and its impact on students and communities, and a well-resourced school environment.

Use these resources to better understand where biases come from, and undertake the work of breaking down the walls that divide us.

We’re not going to become an anti-racist society unless we have uncomfortable conversations. We have to talk about what’s going on in the world, and we need to stop saying, we don’t want to make you uncomfortable.

Quote by: Franchesca Mejia, Austin, Texas, Orchestra teacher

Post this Teaching With an Anti-Racist Lens

As the scrutiny over “zero tolerance” discipline policies has intensified over the past decade, more school districts across the country have been looking at alternatives. Alternatives that don't push out an excessive number of students, don't create wide racial disparity gaps, and that overall foster a more inclusive and constructive learning environment. To many, the answer has been restorative practices. Learn more about restorative practices and incorporate them into the classroom with our resources below.

Activism through Art

Art is a powerful tool for change. The following videos and artwork can be used for creative and social media content, visuals, public messages, calls to action, spokesperson materials, and more. Browse our full gallery of Racial Justice–themed art.