This brief from WestEd provides an overview of two approaches developed to increase educational equity, social and emotional learning (SEL), and culturally responsive and sustaining education (CSRE), and their perceived connections to critical race theory (CRT). Acting as a primer, this resource offers a basic overview of each concept that may be particularly helpful for teacher candidates. Drawing out the distinction between SEL/CSRE and CRT is increasingly important given the political contention around CRT. The authors make clear that SEL and CSRE are two separate education approaches that help build positive student identity and support learning; while both move students and teachers toward educational equity, they are distinct from CRT, which acts as a framework for thinking critically and systemically about the role race plays in all levels of society. Teachers, teacher candidates, teacher educators, and a wide range of other educational stakeholders who are unclear on these equity-focused approaches to education may find this useful.