Resources Related to Combatting Antisemitism and Islamophobia While Promoting Religious Inclusion in Schools | National Center on Safe Supportive Learning Environments (NCSSLE)

K-12

In a world of diverse beliefs and practices, understanding and respecting religious diversity is vital, especially within our educational systems where young minds learn and grow. Antisemitism and Islamophobia represent significant challenges in this landscape, contributing to prejudice and exclusion. Addressing these issues is not only about countering specific incidents but also about cultivating an environment where we can prevent, address, and ameliorate the effects of bullying, violence, and hate.

The National Center on Safe Supportive Learning Environments (NCSSLE) is dedicated to providing schools with the necessary resources to confront and counteract antisemitism and Islamophobia, while also embracing a broader spectrum of religious diversity and discrimination issues. Our resources aim to enlighten, foster unity, and promote an inclusive educational environment where all students, irrespective of their background, are treated with respect and dignity.

To bolster our commitment, and in coordination with the U.S. Department of Education's Free to Learn initiative, NCSSLE has curated a collection of specialized resources designed for educators, students, parents, and community members. These tools equip users with knowledge and strategies to challenge discrimination, fostering spaces where every student feels valued and can thrive academically and socially. Let us work collectively to ensure safety, support, and mutual respect in our schools.

Creating Safe, Inclusive, Supportive, and Fair School Climates

Preventing and Addressing Discrimination

Dear Colleague Letter: Protecting Students from Discrimination
The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) released a new Dear Colleague Letter to every school in the country offering concrete examples of unlawful discrimination under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Title VI prohibits discrimination based on shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics, including discrimination against students and school community members who are or are perceived to be Jewish, Israeli, Muslim, Arab, Sikh, South Asian, Hindu, or Palestinian.

Dear Colleague Letter on Shared Ancestry
Reminds colleges, universities, and schools that receive federal financial assistance of their legal responsibility under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and its implementing regulations (Title VI) to provide all students a school environment free from discrimination based on race, color, or national origin, including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics.

Fact Sheet: Protecting Students from Discrimination Based on Shared Ancestry or Ethnic Characteristics
Describes Title VI protections for students who are, or are perceived to be, Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Sikh, Hindu, Buddhist, or of another religious group.

Office for Civil Rights Complaint Process
Provides information on how to file a complaint if an individual experiences or sees racial discrimination in education.

Preventing and Responding to Bias and Hate Incidents in K-12 Educational Settings: A Toolkit for School & Community Leaders
Provides guidance and strategies for creating safe and inclusive learning environments free of harassment and discrimination.

Shared Ancestry or Ethnic Characteristics
Provides guidance and resources on Title VI protections for students from religious discrimination, including harassment based on their actual or perceived shared ancestry, ethnic characteristics, citizenship, or residency in a country with a dominant or district religious identity.

Preventing and Addressing Antisemitism and Islamophobia

Supporting Jewish Students

Teaching About Judaism
Includes a lesson plan and slide deck focused on exploring the basic tenets of Judaism, introducing Judaism’s 3 Bs: systems of belief, behaviors and experiences of belonging.

Jewish Americans
Includes a lesson plan and slide deck focused on learning about the rich diversity within the Jewish American community and deepening understanding of the nature of identity across groups.

Combatting Antisemitism Through Education
Provides legal requirements, guidance, and resources for Washington educators related to combatting antisemitism.

Combating Discrimination Against Jewish Students
Provides examples of action, or inaction, by school officials that could violate Title VI protections.

Educator Resources to Address Antisemitism in Public Schools
Offers resources and guidance from San Diego County Office of Education to create cultures of care and address antisemitism in schools.

Teaching Materials on Antisemitism and Racism
Provides resources and lesson plans from United States Holocaust Memorial Museum to promote effective teaching about antisemitism and the Holocaust.

The National Child Traumatic Stress Network | Talking To Children About Hate Crimes And Antisemitism
Offers strategies for how adults can talk to children who experience fear, anxiety, worry, confusion, and have thoughts that the world is not safe.

Supporting Muslim Students

ING Resources for Educators on Islamophobia and Other Forms of Bigotry
ING has developed a handout with links to resources about Islamophobia and other forms of bigotry for educators in K-12 schools, as well as colleges and universities. The resources include in-person and online presentations, training seminars and curriculum about Islamophobia, Muslims and their faith, as well as interreligious and interethnic panels for schools in the context of national and state social studies content standards relating to the study of world history, American history, ethnic studies, religion, and global studies.

ING Youth Program Training and Tools for Young American Muslims
Student resources to supplement education about Islam and Muslims in the classroom and support bullying prevention efforts.

Dismantling Islamophobia
Provides six tips on how to combat anti-Muslim bullying in schools.

Confronting Islamophobia - Facing History & Ourselves
Provides a lesson that helps students explore the roots of Islamophobia, reflect on its human cost and its impact on those who experience it, and start thinking about the importance of standing up against Islamophobia.

Countering Islamophobia - Learning for Justice
Provides a lesson that helps students explore, confront and deconstruct stereotypes targeted at Muslims. Students have an opportunity to learn about the impact of Islamophobia and create an anti-Islamophobia campaign to display in school.

Guide to Supporting Muslim Students
Provides resources on celebrating and uplifting Muslim students as well as countering Islamophobia in schools.

Rethinking the Region: New Approaches to 9-12 U.S. Curriculum on the Middle East & North Africa
Offers an online curricular resource that allows educators to avoid reductive approaches to the region and highlight multiplicity, plurality and agency. It also provides resources that are part of broader curricular and school climate initiatives meant to combat Islamophobia.

Educators Toolkit
Shares evidence-based resources built by expert scholars than can help educators foster a safe learning environment for all students, especially those who happen to be Muslim.

Uplifting Black Muslim Youth Toolkit
Provides resources for individuals, families, mosques, and organizations looking to uplift Black Muslim youth.

9 Ways To Support Students During Ramadan
Offers simple strategies teachers can implement to support students during Ramadan, so they do not feel lonely or isolated, especially if they are a small minority.

Supporting Students During Ramadan
Describes the ways schools and communities can foster a more welcoming atmosphere and work together on supporting students during Ramadan.

Understanding Ramadan: A Classroom Teacher's Guide
Provides tips for teachers on how they can make it easier for Muslim students in school during Ramadan.