Racial and Social Justice Resources

On behalf of the Illinois School Psychologists Association, we hope you and your families are safe and in good health.  The primary mission of the Illinois School Psychologists Association is to serve the educational and mental health interests of all children by promoting the rights of all children, youth, and their families for healthy development and optimal education attainment.  A core value of the practice of school psychology is to create safe, healthy, and supportive learning environments that strengthen connections between home, schools, and communities. Communities across Illinois, the nation, and the world are gripped with unrest in response to the killings of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd and countless other victims of police brutality and unjust practices.  Our professional commitment to justice, equity, and the potential of every child is needed now more than ever. 

As a professional association, this commitment is embodied in our strategic planning priority to ensure safe and supportive learning environments for all students. As a Board we are engaged in supporting our members to advocate for social justice at all levels of influence - individual students, families, teachers, administrators, schools, communities, and our state's elected leaders and policy decision makers.  In accordance with the National Association of School Psychologists, we are committed to helping ensure that all children live, learn, and play in safe and supportive communities and schools with access to equitable systems, supports, and opportunities.

We encourage you to join in signing on to the Unified School Psychology Anti-Racism Statement and Call to Action with us. Review our Call to Action and for our members to join our Social Justice workgroup, under our Child and Professional Diversity Committee. Want to get involved? Consider joining our leadership on a committee.

ISPA Call to Action for Social and Racial Justice

Racial & Social Justice Town Hall Meeting

We hosted a virtual town hall meeting with panelists that included university trainers as well as school-based practitioners and administrators.  The panel shared their experiences and expertise on racial and social justice issues in the practice of school psychology and responded to  questions submitted by attendees. If you missed the chance to join us live, please view the recording and join in our discussion by reaching out to your regional director or our leadership. We look forward to continuing to discuss these issues during the Open Discussion time on October 23rd at our virtual Fall Conference.

Racial & Social Justice Town Hall (video)

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