How to tackle racism in schools

Quick survey

Research shows that children learn to categorise faces based on race when they are a few months old. By the time they turn 3, they are able to associate positive or negatives traits to those racial group segregations. Research also shows that by the age of 8, they are not only aware of racism but also think about it deeply.

Schools are one of the most common environments where children may be exposed to racism. Studies have suggested that effective communication during this stage of a child’s life can change their attitudes regarding racism over time.

We would like to know your thoughts, ideas and input on how racism in schools can be tackled. Tell us about the obstacles you face in having constructive and open conversations about racism with children, school authorities and adults.

This survey is voluntary, and All Together Now intends to share the results with our larger supporter base as insights. If you do not consent to these terms, please do not complete the survey. Survey open until 9 am on 6 October, 2021. Thank you!

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* 1. What is your relationship to Pre-school/ Primary / Secondary School aged children who you have meaningful conversations with at least once a week (multiple choice)?

I am a parent / guardian

I am an aunt / uncle / grandparent / other relative

I am a Primary School teacher / counsellor / education sector employee

Other (please specify)

None of the above

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* 2. Thinking about the children you frequently have conversations with, to your knowledge have they experienced racism at school?

Yes

Unsure

This question isn't relevant to me

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* 3. What obstacles and issues do you face while talking to children about racism? Please select which statement you feel most accurately reflects your view:

I don’t see colour, we are all the same.

I don’t know enough about racism in school.

Racism is a difficult conversation to have with children.

I've never thought about it before.

I don’t want to expose children too early.

Racism is part of daily life. We all just need to learn to deal with it

Other (please specify)

None of the above

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* 4. What issues do you face while talking to teachers and school authorities about racism? Please select which statement you feel most accurately reflects your view:

I don’t see colour, we are all the same.

I don’t know enough about racism in school.

Racism is a difficult conversation to have with teachers and school authorities.

I've never thought about it before.

I expect adults to recognise racism and do the right thing

Racism is part of daily life. There's not much school authorities can do.

Other (please specify)

None of the above

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* 5. What issues do you face while talking to adults - family, friends and parents of other kids about racism? Please select which statement you feel most accurately reflects your view:

I don’t see colour, we are all the same.

I don’t know enough about racism in general.

Racism is a difficult conversation to have with anybody.

I've never thought about it before.

I expect adults will handle their experience of racism individually, there's not much we can do collectively.

Racism is part of daily life. There's not much that can be done.

Other (please specify)

None of the above

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* 6. What would be helpful to know when discussing race and racism with School aged children in your life? What questions can we help answer?

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* 7. What sort of help would be useful to tackle racism in school, according to you?

Getting small education newsletter snippets on topics related to racism in school and how to tackle it.

Getting regular recommendations for children's books and adult books about racism.

I would like to know what other schools in Australia are doing to tackle racism in school.

I would like to know what other adults - community members, teachers and parents are doing to tackle racism in school.

I would like to follow a page on social media to get regular tips on tackling racism in schools

Other (please specify)

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* 8. What communication platforms work best for you to learn from, about race and racism? Please rank them from 1 to 5, where 1 is most preferred and 5 is least.

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* 9. If you have used any resources to help you have a conversation with children, school authorities, other adults about race and racism, what were those resources and were you satisfied with them? What did they do well, and what could they have done better?

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* 10. If you have any other comments or points to make on this topic, please add them here:

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* 11. Send me All Together Now's anti-racism newsletters

Yes

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* 12. Send me the survey results.

Yes

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* 13. Additional information.

Name

Age

Occupation

Gender

Racial and Ethnic Identity

ZIP/Postal Code

Email Address

Phone Number