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Statement on Anti-Racism to Support
Teaching and Learning
from the National Council of Teachers of English Committee
on Racism and Bias in the Teaching of English
February 2007
Racism and discrimination continue to be a part of American society and have adversely affected diverse student populations and public education. The Committee on Racism and Bias in the Teaching of English of the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) is committed to working toward the eradication of racism and discrimination in the profession, in the preparation of teachers, and in the administrative decisions made in schools, especially in the teaching and learning of English and language arts at all levels. Our work involves making research-based recommendations to counteract racism and racial bias in materials, methods, and programs for the teaching and learning of English and the language arts. Most importantly, the NCTE Committee on Racism and Bias in the Teaching of English works toward positive communication and the promotion of social justice in access to and delivery of public education.
In recent months, there have been increasing incidents and forms of blatant practices, threats of physical violence, production and dissemination of racist and biased materials, and expressions of racism, bias, and prejudice toward students of culturally diverse human backgrounds attending U.S. public schools and higher education institutions. Specific charges and indictments have been based on intersectional identities involving hate crimes and bias-motivated incidents in public schools and higher education institutions (e.g., race; ethnicity; class; gender; age; mental and physical abilities; nationality; migrant, immigrant, and refugee status; religious affiliation; and sexual orientation). More evident, English language learners, especially from migrant and immigrant families, children, and students, have faced discriminatory practices in their attempts to access public education programs. Recent national examples include the following institutions:
- Baltimore (Maryland) Public School System, "Race, Politics, and the Schools: Q&A: Marion Orr," The Baltimore Sun, May 28, 2006
- Boston (Massachusetts) Public Schools, "Teens Probe Sexual Harassment in Schools," The Boston-Bay State Banner, April 6, 2006
- Clark County (Nevada) School District, "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do -- Mason Says Racism a Factor in Districting," Las Vegas Sun, January 5, 2006
- Dartmouth College (Hanover, New Hampshire), "Dartmouth Apologizes for Indian Incidents," Inside Higher Ed, November 27, 2006
- Truth or Consequences (New Mexico) Schools, "Educators Get Support after Complaint over Racism Project," Santa Fe New Mexican, December 20, 2006
- Tufts University (Medford, Massachusetts), "A Not So Merry Christmas," Inside Higher Ed, December 12, 2006
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, "Ugly Turn in Mascot Dispute," Inside Higher Ed, January 10, 2007
- Whitman College (Walla Walla, Washington), "Racism Rears Its Head," Inside Higher Ed, November 16, 2006
- Winner (South Dakota) School District, "Graduating to Prison: Native Americans Sue School District," The Progressive, February 2007
Recent research results have been discussed in national periodicals and reports and are as follows:
In order to ensure that all individuals have access to public education that is free of racism, bias, and prejudice and to support the intellectual development and growth of students from early childhood education levels to university studies (Pre-Kindergarten through 16), the NCTE Committee on Racism and Bias in the Teaching of English recommends that English language arts educators:
- Actively identify and challenge individual or systemic acts of racism, bias, and prejudice in educational institutions and within our profession, exposing such acts through external communication and publications.
- Express strong declarations of solidarity among people of diverse human and cultural backgrounds to eradicate forms of racism, bias, and prejudice in spaces of teaching and learning.
- Promote cultural diversity and expand linguistic knowledge by participating in ongoing professional development for educators to succeed with students of diverse abilities and backgrounds.
- Support the enforcement of laws and policies that provide sanctions against racial and ethnic discrimination in public education.
Furthermore, the NCTE Committee on Racism and Bias in the Teaching of English recommends that . . .
- All administrators secure funds and provide opportunities for teacher professional development for teachers and instructional programs that affirm cultural and human diversity among all students;
- All educational stakeholders -- policymakers, parents, and the general public -- understand that they can best support educators or teacher professionals and students by actively participating in public conversations about racism and bias in our multilingual and multicultural American society, defined in the key opening words of the United States Constitution’s Preamble “We the People . . .”
Adopted by the NCTE Committee on Racism and Bias in the Teaching of English, February 2007
R. Joseph Rodríguez, Chair
Members:
Damian Baca
Janette Ann Birkett Scacifero
Kelly Brock
Aurelia De Silva
Michael Guevara
Mari Haneda
KaaVonia Hinton-Johnson
R Vance Jenkins
Debbie Reese
Cynthia Williams
This position statement may be printed, copied, and disseminated without permission from NCTE.
4/19/07
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