Anti-Racism Resources

School counselors are leaders in the school community who advocate for all students. Our students benefit when their schools create a welcoming, respectful and inclusive culture and dismantle unjust systems. The ASCA Ethical Standards for School Counselors and the ASCA Professional Standards & Competencies guide all school counselors in working toward ethical, equitable and inclusive school environments and addressing the critical issues of systemic and institutional racism. The following resources are helpful in addressing issues of systemic and institutional racism with students. Additional resources are regularly added.

Getting Started with Anti-Racism Efforts

  1. Review existing school data to identify achievement and opportunity gaps. (See the school data summary template.)
  2. Review policies and procedures to identify barriers to learning and access to opportunities, particularly for students of color.
  3. Identify indirect student services, including leadership, advocacy and collaboration to address gaps and barriers. 
    • Collaborate with administrators, school staff and families to increase awareness of the impact of racism and bias.
    • Advocate for changes to policies and procedures that have created barriers for students.
  4. Create classroom/small-group and closing-the-gap action plans (see templates) and include ASCA Student Standards: Mindsets & Behaviors for Student Success that are needed to create school cultures where everyone is included, including M 2., B-LS 9., B-SS 2., B-SS 7. and B-SS 10.
  5. Monitor progress by collecting participation, mindsets & behaviors and outcome data.  
  6. Repeat the cycle.

ASCA Resources

Professional Development

Town Halls

Statements & Standards

Articles

Talking About Race and Racism

Standards, Guidelines and Resources

Data and Policy

Trauma and Mental Health

Podcasts and Blogs

Reading List