The U.S. National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism, announced in May 2023, represents the most comprehensive and ambitious U.S. government effort to counter antisemitism in American history. This month, the White House also announced the launch of the U.S. National Strategy to Counter Islamophobia.
Now, the U.S. Department of Education has released a fact sheet with new resources aimed at ensuring schools and college campuses have the tools they need to protect students from discrimination and harassment because of their race, color, or national origin, including students who are or are perceived to be Jewish, Muslim, Israeli, Arab, or Palestinian.
“Hate has no place in our school classrooms or on our college campuses. Antisemitism, Islamophobia and all forms of hate are antithetical to who we are as Americans,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona.
New Resources to Keep Students Safe in the Classroom and on Campuses
- The USDOE is sharing resources for students, educators and communities that can be used to strengthen school safety efforts, such as funding from the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which provided $1 billion to districts to design and enhance initiatives to promote safer, more inclusive and positive school environments for all students, educators and school staff.
- In addition, guidance is being provided by USDOE-funded technical assistance centers, such as its four regional equity assistance centers and the National Center on Safe Supportive Learning Environments. Equity Assistance Centers provide technical assistance and training, upon request, in the areas of race, sex, national origin and religion to public school districts and other responsible governmental agencies to promote equitable education opportunities. NCSSLE is releasing two collections of specialized resources designed to help educators, students, parents, and community members keep students safe from antisemitism, Islamophobia and related forms of discrimination. One collection is designed for P-12 schools and the other for institutions of higher education.
- On Dec. 6, the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education will launch a webinar series for P-12 school personnel and community-based organizations to develop, strengthen, and share evidence-informed strategies that help schools prevent and respond to hate-based threats, bullying, and harassment.
- The USDOE will also, as part of its ongoing Antisemitism Awareness Campaign, spotlight notable efforts by students, communities, educators and administrators to prevent and address antisemitism, and will disseminate information about these efforts to offer concrete examples of ways schools and campuses can engage in similar efforts.
- Additionally, the Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships will share effective strategies for school and campus communities to be more inclusive of Jewish, Muslim and other religious identities, such as multifaith student groups, afterschool programs or school-based efforts aimed at fostering cross-community cooperation.
The USDOE has taken key steps to help realize this vision and keep students safe, including the launch of its Antisemitism Awareness Campaign, aimed at raising awareness among educators, students, parents and communities about the alarming rise of antisemitism and giving them tools to address it.
You can learn more about additional key steps to tackle antisemitism, Islamophobia and related forms of discrimination and bias by referring to the full fact sheet.