Challenging Bias and Harassment in Our Schools
Having conversations about identity—including potentially uncomfortable topics like race, religion, and sexual orientation—may not be something you feel like you know how to do, but starting the conversation is important to create safe, welcoming schools for all students. Below is a guide created by the Civil Rights Team Project, a program in the Maine Attorney General’s Office, to help you in this process of first evaluating your school community, followed by some recommendations from the Union to incorporate change for increased inclusiveness for all students.
Evaluating Your School Identifying Civil Rights Issues in Your School Community Use the following chart to help identity civil rights issues in your school community. Use it to engage others as a conversation starter and remember that these conversations should be ongoing. A good general guideline is that if people of a specific identity say that something is an issue, it’s an issue. Learn to listen, and then listen to learn.
Civil Rights Teams in Schools The mission of the Civil Rights Team Project is to increase the safety of elementary, middle level, and high school students by reducing bias-motivated behaviors and harassment in schools. The Civil Rights Team Project supports student civil rights teams, who engage their schools in thinking and talking about issues related to race and skin color, national origin and ancestry, religion, disabilities, gender (including gender identity and expression), and sexual orientation.
Worth Asking and Answering 1. What are you doing to make sure students of all identities feel safe, welcome, and respected for who they are? 2. What is your school doing to make sure students of all identities feel safe, welcome, and respected for who they are? 8
Maine Educator | Fall 2021
For more information on how to start a civil rights team in your school, go to www.maine.gov/ag/ civil_rights