The Speak Out Against Racism (SOAR) pilot program, evaluated by the ANU Centre for Social Research & Methods, aimed to address racism and promote prosocial bystander behaviour in Australian primary schools. Implemented across six schools in New South Wales and Victoria, SOAR combined teacher training, curriculum materials, student-led initiatives, and community engagement.
The program was well-received, with staff and students reporting increased confidence in discussing and responding to racism. Students developed racial literacy and empathy, and felt empowered to act against discrimination. Team SOAR, a student-led group, played a key role in promoting anti-racism within schools and communities.
Quantitative findings showed improvements in students’ prosocial behaviour and perceptions of teacher support for diversity, with no evidence of harm such as increased discrimination or mental health issues. However, limitations included time constraints, sustainability concerns, and challenges in engaging linguistically diverse students.
Recommendations include expanding SOAR to more schools, integrating it with existing curricula, enhancing parental involvement, and refining measurement tools. Overall, SOAR demonstrated promise as a whole-of-school approach to fostering inclusive environments and equipping students with practical anti-racism skills.
