Tackling racism

A student sits in a chair with one leg propped up and a carton of milk nearby, reading a hardcover copy of “The Hate U Give” with its book jacket taken off.

From Chalkbeat Indiana Tackling racism

These Indiana schools made racial equity their mission. Now they face hostile legislation.

Conservative pushback against critical race theory threatens to upend the work of Indianapolis schools to close academic gaps for students of color.

By Stephanie Wang

From Chalkbeat Detroit First Person

Diverse books remind readers that their stories matter. Why are schools trying to ban so many of them?

Reading lists should reflect many different people and experiences.

By Elena Recinto

A classroom displays posters of Harriet Tubman, Malcolm X, and others on the wall, along with other instructional materials. Several desks and a small table are also visible.

From Chalkbeat Newark Curriculum and instruction

Newark schools’ new curriculum highlights African American history. What’s in it?

A guide to the curriculum that Newark teachers created

By Patrick Wall

Students raise their hands in a classroom with a bulletin board that says “American History.”

From Chalkbeat Tennessee Diversity & Equity

‘Age-appropriate’ books, history, and CRT: What you need to know about the Tennessee curriculum debate

Here is everything you need to know about how critical race theory has shaped the Tennessee curriculum debate up to this point — and what may be on the horizon.

By Chalkbeat Staff

Masked students sitting in chairs hold up signs opposing a proposed ban on teaching CRT, in a room of adults and students.

Politics & Policy Politics & Policy

On race and schools, here’s what Americans agree and disagree on

Chalkbeat examined over 20 polls since last year. In some cases, what we found was surprising, while others confirmed conventional wisdom.

By Matt Barnum

A Black male teacher smiles while sitting at a table and looking at a group of five high school students of different races.

How I Teach How I Teach

History class is under the microscope. This National Teacher of the Year is diving into lessons of race and oppression.

An Ohio educator won top teaching honors this week for his work connecting with high schoolers and crafting relevant history lessons.

By Kalyn Belsha

From Chalkbeat Philadelphia Student Voices Fellowship

In America, I faced Islamophobia right from the start

On my first day of school, I wore a pink floral hijab. I didn’t realize it would make me a target.

By Umme Orthy

From Chalkbeat Newark Charter schools

Students at Newark charter school protest treatment of Black teachers

Students at North Star Academy said some Black students are unhappy at the school, and some Black teachers have left.

By Patrick Wall

A teacher points at a screen while sitting on a desk in front of a group of students sitting at desks with laptops.

From Chalkbeat Philadelphia Curriculum and instruction

Philadelphia is updating its mandated African American history course

As controversy swirls in the U.S. over how schools teach about race, the district is refocusing the class on “intellectual genealogy.”

By Dale Mezzacappa

From Chalkbeat Philadelphia Tackling racism

Philly district will get 5,000 copies of a book celebrating Black Philadelphians

The donation comes as schools and lawmakers across the U.S. work to ban teachers from mentioning race or discrimination.

By Nora Macaluso

Angelique Gerald, above, with son Tafari at their Mt. Airy home.

From Chalkbeat Philadelphia Diversity & Equity

Black parents at Philly’s Carver E&S High School say new admissions process is unfair to them

Parents of students who enrolled in seventh and eighth grade say that that the district told them their children could stay through high school, but now has changed the rules

By Dale Mezzacappa

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee speaks with students wearing blue shirts.

From Chalkbeat Tennessee Politics & Policy

Tennessee lawmakers to take up governor’s school library bill

Gov. Lee wants more scrutiny of school libraries, but others say the push is unnecessary and politically motivated.

By Marta W. Aldrich

From Chalkbeat Chicago Student Voices Fellowship

Think my South Side high school is a ‘bad school’? Think again.

Here’s what I want you to know about Chicago’s Wendell Phillips Academy High School.

By Ajibola Elizabeth Junaid

From Chalkbeat Chicago First Person

Madeline Morgan fought to teach Black history in schools. 80 years on, her vision is not yet realized.

The Chicago educator urged students to think critically about African American history, but her pioneering curriculum was short-lived.

By Michael Hines

This map shows efforts in 36 states to restrict education on racism, bias, the contributions of specific racial or ethnic groups to U.S. history, or related topics. Last updated Feb. 1, 2022.

Teaching & Classroom Teaching & Classroom

MAP: Efforts to restrict teaching about racism and bias have multiplied across the U.S.

Chalkbeat is tracking efforts to restrict teaching about race and bias in schools, as well as efforts to expand it, on this map of critical race theory legislation.

By Cathryn Stout and Thomas Wilburn

From Chalkbeat New York First Person

The Asian history I never learned in school

Stuck at home during the pandemic, my family shared stories and taught me to embrace my Chinese heritage.

By Vienna Du

A section of books in a bookstore are marked with a sign and yellow caution tape as “Banned Books”.

From Chalkbeat Tennessee Politics & Policy

Tennessee lawmakers file bill targeting ‘obscene’ books in school libraries

Librarians are pushing back, calling the proposal unnecessary and unconstitutional.

By Marta W. Aldrich

First Person First Person

I teach U.S. history. We can trust our kids to hear hard things.

Our class traveled to Alabama and Georgia to learn about the struggle for civil rights. They made powerful connections to the present day.

By Katherine Sanford

From Chalkbeat Colorado Denver Public Schools

Ricardo Martinez remembered as ‘a warrior’ for justice in Denver schools

As co-founder of Padres & Jóvenes Unidos, Martinez helped parents and students fight racism in Denver Public Schools.

By Melanie Asmar

A young woman wearing a cream colored jacket, blue shirt and cloth mask holds a drawing of Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. Students hold a purple banner behind her.

From Chalkbeat Chicago First Person

I lead classroom conversations about race. But I need more help.

Chicago teachers deserve real training — not just an occasional lesson plan.

By Winnie Williams-Hall

Close-up of the arms of a teacher and student facing each other opposite a desk with workbooks on it.

From Chalkbeat Indiana Curriculum and instruction

Indiana educators: How would proposed restrictions on teaching about race and identity affect your classroom?

Chalkbeat Indiana would like to know what teachers think about a state bill to limit lessons on race and racism, and restrict mandates in diversity training.

By Aleksandra Appleton

First Person First Person

I am a school board member. Anti-CRT bills are stoking fear in our district.

Concerns about critical race theory are often divorced from the reality of what goes on in classrooms.

By Erika Cohen

A algebraic equation example, “x+y=z”, is written on a white board. There is a teacher at a podium in the background.

From Chalkbeat Tennessee Teacher evaluations

Tennessee study: Blacks, males score lower in teacher observations

The findings, released Monday and mirroring national research, raise important questions about the reliability and fairness of the state’s teacher evaluation system.

By Marta W. Aldrich

A group of students walk out of school in protest against alleged racism at Sarah E. Goode STEM Academy.

From Chalkbeat Chicago Racial Justice

Chicago students walk out of South Side school over racial slurs: ‘We will not be silenced’

Some students said they have endured racial slurs from other students, while others alleged being targeted by some teachers who have kicked them out of class or called security on them.

By Mauricio Pena