Education: anti-racism reading and resources

The Basics

Schools can open doors or close them. Funding gaps, harsh discipline and fights over what can be taught all fall hardest on students of color. Parents, students and teachers are organizing for schools that reflect and support every kid.

We’ve covered education for years. Every issue is in our archive. Read past issues >

Three words that come up again and again on this topic. See all of our key terminology >

School-to-Prison Pipeline — Policies like zero-tolerance discipline and police in schools that push students out of class and into the legal system.
Critical Race Theory — An academic framework holding that racism is built into laws and institutions, now used as a label in fights over K-12 lessons.
Model Minority Myth — The stereotype that some groups, especially Asian Americans, succeed because of their culture, which hides real barriers.

Unpack the history of Indigenous boarding schools.
New discoveries of unmarked graves bring ongoing injustices against Indigenous communities to the present.
Nia Norris Jul 7, 2021
The racial history of IQ testing.
Intelligence testing is rooted in racial bias and pseudoscience, which affects how Black football players were tested for brain injuries.
Andrew Lee Jun 24, 2021
How the Paper Ceiling Hurts Millions of Workers
The emphasis on higher education and degrees has shifted the labor market to where millions of workers are being filtered out.
Dominique Stewart Dec 5, 2023
The Lasting Impact of the Jena Six
The story of the Jena Six highlights the double standard Black students experience in the educational and legal system.
Nicole Cardoza Sep 21, 2023
What the Affirmative Action Ruling Means for DEI
Lawsuits against companies like the Fearless Fund grow following attacks on DEI efforts and the end of affirmative action.
Dominique Stewart Sep 5, 2023
Why Affirmative Action Is Still Necessary
What will come of efforts to diversify college campuses with the end of affirmative action in higher education?
Nicole Cardoza Jul 3, 2023

These groups are led by people of color and work on education every day. Follow them for updates and ways to help.

Advancement Project Works with youth of color to end police in schools and school pushout. Visit their website, and follow @advancementproject on Instagram to get updates in your newsfeed.
SEARAC Advocates for Southeast Asian American students and families. Visit their website, and follow @searac on Instagram to get updates in your newsfeed.
National Indian Education Association Advocates for Native students and culturally based education. Visit their website, and follow @niea1969 on Instagram to get updates in your newsfeed.

Independent newsrooms that cover education often. Read and donate if you can!

Chalkbeat. Nonprofit newsroom on public schools and education equity. Follow @chalkbeatorg on Instagram.
The Hechinger Report. Nonprofit news on inequality and innovation in education. Follow @hechingerreport on Instagram.
Word In Black. Black press collaborative covering Black students and schools. Follow @wordinblacknews on Instagram.

ps – this is a community-created guide that is updated often. Want to make changes/corrections? Complete this form.