School Climate & Safety Video

Amid Influx of Muslim Students, Schools Temper Tensions

By Carmen Rojas — May 19, 2016 7:59

Growing anti-Muslim sentiment has become a problem in U.S. schools—as many as half of Muslim students have been bullied by their peers, mainly because of their religion.

One hotspot of anti-Muslim sentiment has been St. Cloud, Minn., a small city 90 minutes west of Minneapolis, where a large influx of Somali immigrants has sparked anger and intolerance in the community.

The city’s school district, however, is working to create a welcoming and tolerant school climate, offering language and cultural services, as well as extracurricular programs, designed to promote acceptance among students. Education Week’s John Tulenko reports from St. Cloud, Minn.

This video aired on PBS NewsHour on May 17, 2016.

Carmen Rojas
Carmen Rojas formerly was a Video Administration and Communications Assistant for Education Week.

This video also appeared on On Air: A Video Blog.

Video

Special Education Video How This District Teaches Bilingual Students With Dyslexia
Students with dyslexia receive instruction in Spanish or English, depending on their dominant spoken language.
2:28
School & District Management Video The Enemy of Smart, Strategic Spending Decisions in K-12 Districts: Leadership Churn
The EdWeek Research Center surveyed district leaders on the barriers to long-term thinking.
Professional Development Video How One District Is Getting Secondary Teachers Up to Speed on Reading Support
A district invests in improving secondary teachers' knowledge to help students needing reading support.
1 min read
High school teachers learn how to teach reading to struggling older readers during an AIM training at Marietta High School in Marietta, Ga., on Nov. 10, 2025.
High school teachers learn how to teach reading to struggling older readers during an AIM training at Marietta High School in Marietta, Ga., on Nov. 10, 2025.
Jason Drakeford for Education Week
Federal Video Here’s What the Ed. Dept. Upheaval Will Mean for Schools
The Trump administration took significant steps this week toward eliminating the U.S. Department of Education.
1 min read
The U.S. Department of Education building is pictured in a double exposure on Oct. 24, 2025, in Washington, D.C.
The U.S. Department of Education building is pictured in a double exposure on Oct. 24, 2025, in Washington, D.C.
Maansi Srivastava for Education Week