Social Justice Education Is Essential
In the current hostile learning environment created by censorship laws and policies aimed at prohibiting the teaching of honest history and further marginalizing LGBTQ+ students and educators, social justice education is essential. The Learning for Justice Social Justice Standards are designed to guide educators in developing inclusive curricula to make schools safer and more just and equitable. Comprised of four domains—identity, diversity, justice and action—the Social Justice Standards are intended for all content areas alongside state and Common Core standards.
![young kids having fun outside](/sites/default/files/styles/article_thumbnail_s_m_l_xl/public/2017-07/Teaching-Tolerance_social-justice-standards_0.jpg?itok=KuxA9eMU)
Social Justice Standards
Digging Deep Into the Social Justice Standards: Identity
Digging Deep Into the Social Justice Standards: Diversity
Acknowledging the Inconvenient Truths of Bias and Erasure
Analyzing whose perspective is centered and whose is erased in significant conversations and spheres of influence paints a clear picture—an inconvenient truth— about the pervasiveness of systemic racism. And it’s particularly important that Black children see themselves represented in these narratives—especially in those spaces where Black people are intentionally rendered invisible. These LFJ resources highlight what’s at stake in the choices we make.
![A smiling young black child stands in front of board filled with scientific formulas.](/sites/default/files/styles/article_thumbnail_s_m_l_xl/public/2022-09/090222-LFJ-WebAsset-1800x1080-istock-09022022.jpg?itok=Dl0dY_eu)
Black Visibility Matters: The Inconvenient Truths of Bias and Erasure
![Empty desks in a classroom with a blackboard in the background.](/sites/default/files/styles/article_thumbnail_s_m_l_xl/public/2018-10/Teaching-Tolerance-school-climate-072.jpg?itok=Z07wzz8q)
It Has Stayed With Me
![A microscope](/sites/default/files/styles/article_thumbnail_s_m_l_xl/public/2017-07/Teaching_Tolerance_ability_044.jpg?itok=W7WWunwI)
Use the Tools of Science to Recognize Inequity in Science
Supporting Immigrant Students as the School Year Begins
Legally obligated to enroll and support immigrant students—regardless of status—public schools often present numerous obstacles for young people and their families.
![Adult and child walking through door to the outside](/sites/default/files/styles/article_thumbnail_s_m_l_xl/public/2018-08/Teaching-Tolerance-family-031.jpg?itok=sM6_F8ht)
Protecting Immigrant Students’ Rights
![Immigrant and Refugee Children illustration B Bragg](/sites/default/files/styles/article_thumbnail_s_m_l_xl/public/2017-07/TeachingTolerance_TT55_Immigrant_and_Refugee_Children_BBragg_1800px.jpg?itok=80EwXnFo)
Immigrant and Refugee Children: A Guide for Educators and School Support Staff
![Supporting and Affirming Immigrant Students and Families Artwork](/sites/default/files/styles/article_thumbnail_s_m_l_xl/public/2022-03/Supporting-and-Affirming-Immigrant-Students-and-Families-Website-03152022.png?itok=9p1mr_gH)
Supporting and Affirming Immigrant Students and Families
Supporting Young Children in the Pursuit of Justice
Teaching children empathy that leads to justice means much more than teaching kindness. Adults—educators, parents and caregivers—who support young learners have the opportunity to create “culture[s] of justice” in which empathy and justice are the priority. These LFJ resources feature strategies that educators, parents and caregivers can use to actively engage little learners as they develop age-appropriate skills and understanding that will lead them forward in the pursuit of justice.
![Illustration of several kids gathered around an adult holding the scales of justice.](/sites/default/files/styles/article_thumbnail_s_m_l_xl/public/2019-09/TT63-Kindness-Isnt-Enough-1800x1080.png?itok=LaXwvIdG)
Teaching Kindness Isn’t Enough
![Arthur](/sites/default/files/styles/article_thumbnail_s_m_l_xl/public/2017-06/Teaching-Tolerance-webinar-Arthur-380x228.jpg?itok=d0cYQnvj)
How PBS' 'Arthur' Resources Support Prosocial Behavior and Critical Literacy
![Illustration of several people reading books, superimposed over various houses and top of a large book.](/sites/default/files/styles/article_thumbnail_s_m_l_xl/public/2019-01/TT61-Reading-Together-Jon-Reinfurt-1800x1080.png?itok=0Vejjkqt)
Reading Together
Creating Supportive and Affirming School Environments
As an onslaught of anti-LGBTQ efforts—particularly targeting trans and nonbinary youth—continues at the start of the new school year, it’s imperative for educators, parents and caregivers to help young people understand that justice requires an appreciation for the value of identity and diversity among individuals, and that there are actions to take to ensure equity. These LFJ resources can help foster such understanding.
![Teaching Tolerance illustration of person divided by one side pink and other blue](/sites/default/files/styles/article_thumbnail_s_m_l_xl/public/2017-07/Teaching%20Tolerance_TT44_The%20Gender%20Spectrum_1800px.jpg?itok=_EYMqYSc)
The Gender Spectrum
![Illustration of young students of various sexual orientations and gender identities](/sites/default/files/styles/article_thumbnail_s_m_l_xl/public/2017-07/Teaching%20Tolerance_Sex%20Orientation%20Identity%20Expression_1800px.jpg?itok=fTNuM2K_)
Sex? Sexual Orientation? Gender Identity? Gender Expression?
![Teaching Tolerance illustration a long hair student, with sad look, holds his own hands](/sites/default/files/styles/article_thumbnail_s_m_l_xl/public/2017-07/Teaching%20Tolerance_TT27_Caroline%20is%20a%20Boy_1800px.jpg?itok=MAOKj88W)