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A young Black woman holds a BLM sign at a march

Racial Justice in Education

Supporting Racial Justice for All Students
We are joining together across race and place to ensure every student has the opportunities they need to succeed.
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.
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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.

Celebrating our Diversity

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

Are You Biased?

Everyone has biases. Addressing them will lead to a better learning environment for your students.
Find out
Two Black students smiling at each other

What the Research Says About Ethnic Studies

Studies confirm that students who participate in ethnic studies are more academically engaged, develop a stronger sense of self-efficacy and personal empowerment, perform better academicallv and graduate at higher rates.
View the Report
Kids surrounding a globe

NEA's Cultural Competency Training

Expand your capacity to students from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds.
Request a training
1619 Project logo

The 1619 Project

The New York Times's Pulitzer Prize-winning initiative informs and challenges us to reframe U.S. history and better understand the hold of institutional racism on our communities.
Learn more
A group of high school student discuss race

10 Tips for Talking About Race in School

Creating space to talk about race can open powerful learning for you and your students. Here's how to get started.
Learn more
BLMposter

Black Lives Matter at School

Find stories, resources and ideas to spark critical reflection, honest conversation and impactful actions in school communities.
Start the conversation
Franchesca Mejia
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
Teaching With an Anti-Racist Lens

Implementing Restorative Practices

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.
Pushout-girls-of-color

Restorative Practices Guide

This toolkit from the Schott Foundation helps educators understand what restorative practices are and how they foster safe learning environments through community building and constructive conflict resolution.
View the Guide
photos of educators in a circle collaborating in a meeting

Micro-Credentials for Restorative Practices

This stack of five micro-credentials is intended to give educators an understanding of Restorative Practices.
Learn more
School Me Podcast logo

Listen: School Me Podcast

Maryland educator Robin McNair answers our questions about how restorative practices can change school environments for the better (and for all students).
Listen now

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.
Stop AAPI Hate
Stop AAPI Hate

Black Lives Matter at School
Black Lives Matter at School

Safety Love and Belonging 3
Safety Love and Belonging 3

BLM at School 2
BLM at School 2

We are One
We are One

No Hate No Fear
No Hate No Fear

Ready to stand up for public schools?

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Our Voice Is Our Power.

We’ll advocate for fully-funded public schools. We’ll dismantle unjust systems. We’ll give our students the opportunities they need to succeed. Help us make it happen.

ISEA has toolkits to help you understand the issues and defend the rights of all students.

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The Iowa State Education Association works to promote, advance, and protect public education, the education profession, and the rights and interests of our members. When you join the ISEA, you’re joining forces with the power and influence of 3.2 million members nationwide.
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The Iowa State Education Association is a state affiliate of the National Education Association (NEA), the nation's largest professional employee organization. NEA has affiliate organizations in every state and in more than 14,000 communities across the United States.

Learn more at NEA.org

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