Anti-Defamation League: Race & Racism

Mission of Organization

“To stop the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment to all…”

"When Chicago attorney Sigmund Livingston founded ADL in 1913, he envisioned an America where those who seemed different were not targets of discrimination and threats, but were equals, worthy of shared opportunity and a place in the American dream. This vision remains relevant today, its call to action as urgent. While we have accomplished a great deal, much work is left to be done. We want an ever-more just society. We continually develop new programs, policies and skills to expose and combat whatever holds us back. We are focused on what brings us closer to this ideal. Ours is a shared journey."

Curriculum Description

ADL provides scripted lesson plans for a range of topic focused on social justice topics (e.g., Race and Racism). It also uses current events in lesson plans (e.g., Colin Kaepernick’s kneeling) to "teach...through the lens of diversity, bias and social justice.”

Curriculum Materials Reviewed
  • Believe in Something: Nike: Kaepernick and Social Change
  • Using Art to Explore Injustice and Social Justice
  • The Alt Right and White Supremacy
Source of Funding

N/A

Learning Resources
  • Lesson Plans (linked to Common Core)
  • Videos
  • News Articles
  • Pictures
Target Population/Grade Levels
Cost Per Classroom
There are no listed costs, but there are material lists for each lesson (e.g., post-it notes, print-out sheets, whiteboard/blackboard access)
Training
There is no teacher training, but the curriculum provides lists of vocabulary the teacher should know and links to background information teachers should have.
Domain Presence
Critical Consciousness

Presence Evaluation: Full Presence

Evaluation Notes: ADL features a variety of topics (e.g. race, gender, immigration) to examine structural inequity. It explores recent events, such as Colin Kaepernick and the NFL, and often gives historical context to what is occurring in the present day. 

Social Action

Presence Evaluation: Some Presence

Evaluation Notes: Many lessons do not focus specifically on direct action but may touch on it. For example, in one of the reviewed lessons students explore the role of hashtags in social action. 

Reciprocal Community Relationship

Presence Evaluation: Full Presence

Evaluation Notes: There is discussion of how to support and fight for justice in one's local communities. There are also learning objectives that connect school to broader society.

Systems Wide Approach

Presence Evaluation: Minimal Presence

Evaluation Notes: The materials do not address structural change within schools beyond the classroom. 

Explicit Teaching of Social Justice Principles

Presence Evaluation: Some Presence

Evaluation Notes: The curriculum explores definitions and unpacks difficult concepts. It provides a vocabulary base for students to be able to speak about social justice.

Self-Reflection

Presence Evaluation: Minimal Presence

Evaluation Notes: Self-reflection isn’t featured in every lesson but appears occasionally.  There is an activity in the Kaepernick curriculum that asks about students’ beliefs and other activities on what pictures, videos, and articles mean to the students.

Inclusion and Equity

Presence Evaluation: Full Presence

Evaluation Notes: The curriculum encourages inclusion and equity throughout lessons. 

High Expectations

Presence Evaluation: N/A

Evaluation Notes: We are unable to evaluate this domain since it is best measured through observation.

Social Identities

Presence Evaluation: Some Presence

Evaluation Notes: The curriculum asks students to consider their own and others’ identities.