Racial Justice

Racial Justice

Schools are unique places in our communities where individuals from diverse backgrounds — social, economic, cultural, linguistic, and experiential — come together to learn and grow. And while those differences in our backgrounds can make for dynamic learning environments, so too, they can highlight the fact that not every student is given an equal footing to thrive.

Schools are institutions. And like many institutional systems and structures, particularly in the U.S., schools have played a role in creating and perpetuating racism and racial inequities. Racism, childhood trauma, inadequate health and nutrition supports, and lack of access to early learning experiences can put students at a disadvantage, exacerbating gaps in basic skills such as reading and math from one student to the next. In order to foster the flourishing of human potential, schools must address the legacy of racism head on and work to foster racial justice and equity for all members of the school community.

Foster Racial Justice and Equity

Some of the ways that schools can foster racial justice and equity include:

  • Putting policies and practices into place in schools that specifically target the structural variables that impact a child’s ability to learn
  • Ensuring administrators, educators and staff engage in deep and ongoing professional development opportunities to shift school culture
  • Creating a school environment that supports a sense of belonging for students and staff across the socio-economic and cultural spectrum
Students getting off the school bus

Thriving Schools’ commitment to racial justice

Thriving Schools is committed to supporting schools and districts to improve the culture and condition of school environments as well as the ability of teachers and staff to provide all students with the support they need to be on a path for success. We are working with experts in the fields of equity and inclusion to ensure that our programming strengthens cultural awareness in school leaders, instilling greater understanding of sociocultural and historical trauma and recognition of implicit/explicit bias.

We have laid a strong foundation for equity and inclusion in how we designed Thriving Schools and the services it offers. Yet, we know we have much more work to do to continue to dismantle racism, to redress health inequities, to heal the pain that BIPOC individuals and communities have experienced, and to advance opportunities for all people to attain educational success and live healthy, productive lives. We are committed to this work, in school communities and beyond, and welcome your partnership along the way.

Resources

Healthy Schools Can Create More Racially Equitable Communities

Handout

Healthy Schools Can Create More Racially Equitable Communities

A new brief commissioned by Kaiser Permanente examines how healthy schools may help address racial inequities across five key areas: health systems, public education, juvenile justice, environmental conditions, and family income. For each area, the brief reviews related racial inequities and, most importantly, describes how healthy schools may contribute to community efforts to dismantle such inequities.
Healthy Schools Can Mitigate Ongoing Racial Inequities in Education

Handout

Healthy Schools Can Mitigate Ongoing Racial Inequities in Education

A new brief commissioned by Kaiser Permanente that highlights the relationship between education and health, and outlines how healthy schools can address six common education inequities.
Planning for the Next Normal at School Playbook: Social Drivers of Health

Video

Planning for the Next Normal at School Playbook: Social Drivers of Health

A conversation with expert Laurie Stradley, chief program officer at Alliance for a Healthier Generation, about the Social Drivers of Health chapter of the Planning for the Next Normal at School Playbook. Laurie walks us through the five starter plays and supporting resources. This content was updated in July 2021.
Kaiser Permanente: Actions to Fight Racism and Promote Equity

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Kaiser Permanente: Actions to Fight Racism and Promote Equity

Read about Kaiser Permanente’s actions to address systemic racism and lack of economic opportunities that prevent communities of color from achieving total health.
Racial Justice in Education Framework

Toolkit

Racial Justice in Education Framework

The National Education Association developed a framework to center and guide the work of racial justice within education systems.
3 Ways Schools Can Support Racial Equity

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3 Ways Schools Can Support Racial Equity

This article from the Education Development Center looks at three ideas for educators who want to put a greater focus on racial equity.
Learning for Justice

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Learning for Justice

From film kits and lesson plans to the building blocks of a customized Learning Plan—texts, student tasks and teaching strategies—Learning for Justice’s resources will help you bring relevance, rigor and social emotional learning into your classroom to advance social justice.
Addressing Race and Trauma in the Classroom

Toolkit

Addressing Race and Trauma in the Classroom

This resource helps educators understand how they might address the interplay of race and trauma and its effects on students in the classroom. It includes recommendations for educators and offers a list of supplemental resources that they can use within their school and district frameworks.
NCSMH Cultural Responsiveness and Equity

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NCSMH Cultural Responsiveness and Equity

The National Center for School Mental Health (NCSMH) site includes resources for schools, mental health providers, communities, families, and students on cultural responsiveness and equity in school mental health.
EmbraceRace

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EmbraceRace

Embrace Race strives to “raise a brave generation together” and provides resources for educators and families to discuss race with children including articles, webinars, action guides, childrens’ books, and true stories.
Racial Equity Tools 

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Racial Equity Tools 

Racial Equity Tools is designed to support individuals and groups working to achieve racial equity. It offers tools, research, tips, curricula, and ideas for people who want to increase their understanding and to help those working for racial justice at every level – in systems, organizations, communities, and the culture at large.

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