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

Holiday Inclusion Planning Template
Designed to assist in holiday inclusion planning, providing a template to capture key information pertaining to the holidays observed by students in your school community and identify next steps to provide necessary supports to students during holiday observances.

Cultural Proficiency, Diversity and Equity at North Penn School District
Provides educational materials to support cultural proficiency in school communities, including information on religious holidays and heritage months.

Leading Inclusive Learning Environments During the War in the Middle East: PK-12 Schools
On Thursday, December 14, U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona hosted a national webinar on how PK-12 schools can support students and ensure all are free to learn in a safe, inclusive learning environment. Featuring Department of Education leaders and exemplary educators from across the country, this webinar presents civil rights laws and resources to help respond to the rise in antisemitism, Islamophobia, anti-Arab hate, and other forms of discrimination.

Creating a Safe and Respectful Environment in Our Nation’s Classrooms
Designed to support classroom teachers, other educators, and support personnel to reduce instances of bullying behavior and to build a supportive classroom climate in which bullying is less likely to occur. Building on the work of the successful first edition of this resource, this newly revised edition integrates the latest insights and strategies in this constantly emerging field of study.

Fostering Civil Discourse: How Do We Talk About Issues That Matter?
Offers ideas and tools that can help educators prepare students to engage in reflective conversations on topics that matter, whether you are in a remote, hybrid, or in-person setting.

Guiding Principles for Creating Safe, Inclusive, Supportive, and Fair School Climates (English Version)
Shares how to support schools and school districts around five guiding principles for creating positive school environments.

Guiding Principles for Creating Safe, Inclusive, Supportive, and Fair School Climates (Versión en Español)
Shares how to support schools and school districts around five guiding principles for creating positive school environments.

Free to Learn
Provides resources to prevent, address, and ameliorate the effects of bullying, violence, and hate while also supporting school safety, school-based mental health, and positive school climate so all students are free to learn.

2022-2023 Guidelines for Respecting Religious Diversity in Montgomery County Public Schools
Provides guidance for cultivating a culture of respect for all, where students have the right to express their religious or nonreligious beliefs and practices, free from discrimination, bullying or harassment. Guidance is provided on topics like absence for religious holidays and religion in instruction program.

Preventing and Addressing Discrimination

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.

Fact Sheet: Biden-Harris Administration Takes Landmark Step to Counter Antisemitism
Articulates the US’s national strategy to countering antisemitism, explaining Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and providing links to guides, training, and resource packages.

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

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.