Preventing and Responding to Bias and Hate Incidents in K-12 Educational Settings: A Toolkit for School & Community Leaders

A school teacher stands outside the school building in a group photo with her students

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Everyone deserves safe and inclusive learning environments free of harassment and discrimination. Well-designed and facilitated opportunities for groups to dialogue can enable communities to address differences, through respectful sharing of perspectives that move toward solutions focused on the common good.

Best practices for difficult conversations

Redesign meeting formats to include smaller meetings or breakout sessions
Provide multiple opportunities for community members to dialogue together
Develop ground rules that emphasize civil and respectful discourse, designate positions with clear roles (facilitator, timekeeper, etc.), and announce specific meeting topics and purpose
Use experienced facilitators who can defuse tensions, reframe issues, and help participants discuss solutions
Use co-facilitators for large groups or break out groups to address the needs of all participants
Recognize that groups may not be ready to collaborate on solutions if they don’t feel that they have been heard
Create a process for community groups to collaborate on solutions
Ask CRS for meeting design, facilitation support, or training on Facilitating Meetings Around Community Conflict

Host a public solidarity event against hate and bias

Where appropriate and safe, public events and virtual convenings can be used to raise awareness on bias and hate impacting communities.

Host a community forum, facilitated dialogue, listening session, or email tip box related to bias and hate for survivors, supporters, and allies to express their concerns
Share existing information and resources on bias and hate such as local commissions, programs, and community-based organizations
Invite other stakeholders such as faith leaders, community leaders, and law enforcement

Be prepared for possible unrest, bias incidents, and hate crimes

Identify and prepare for events where there may be an increased potential for hate or bias incidents.

Educate community members on reporting procedures, hate crime laws, and best practices
Alert local law enforcement about threats and other potential criminal activity. Meet with law enforcement to learn about what and how to report
Coordinate plans for possible emergency situations such as targeted violence, hate crimes, and demonstrations with the potential for violence
Be aware of community events, observances, and holidays that may influence patterns of gathering and travel
Review materials and communications for language accessibility and translation needs
Practice your response plan to identify missing links and areas of improvement
Inform law enforcement and community leaders of significant areas that may be targeted, including schools, neighborhoods, workplaces, and places of worship

Reduce the toll that bias and hate can have on the mental and physical well-being of impacted groups

A graphic outlining the steps for reducing the toll that bias and hate can have on the mental and physical well-being of impacted groups

Have your working group engage with experts to ensure a common understanding of when and how mental health resources may be used
Provide mental health resources to survivors and members of communities experiencing bias and hate
Familiarize your working group with local law enforcement processes for working with suspects with mental health issues
Ensure response personnel have access to mental health and trauma support
Ensure survivor and witness resources are culturally appropriate

Equip schools to respond to bias and hate incidents

Encourage your school to have a cyberbullying and harassment policy
Train school officials on bias and hate incident reporting and investigation procedures
Reach out to impacted students