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State commission outlines plan to combat antisemitism in K-12 schools
The recommendations include training, reporting protocols, and educational resources to address bias and ensure student safety.
As the new school year approaches, a state commission on antisemitism has pledged to implement a set of measures to curb antisemitic incidents within Massachusetts’ K-12 schools.
The Special Commission on Combating Antisemitism released a report revealing that there has been “a stark escalation” of antisemitic incidents in schools – particularly after the Hamas attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023 – with students, educators, and administrators struggling to find appropriate responses.
The commission emphasized that there is a hesitancy and inconsistency in many schools across the state to address antisemitism.
The state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has little oversight of the specific curriculum and programs local school districts use to teach about antisemitism, Jewish history, and Jewish identity.
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Because of this, neither DESE nor the commission has a clear understanding of what materials are being used by individual districts to cover these subjects in their classrooms, the report said.
“As a result, some districts respond ineffectively, and others fail to respond at all,” according to the report.
Develop curriculum to educate students about genocide, antisemitism, and Jewish identity
The Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) recommended the creation of an Advisory Council on Holocaust and Genocide Education.
This council, expected to be established within the next six months, will help schools implement programs that fulfill the state’s Genocide Education Mandate. The mandate, signed by then-Governor Charlie Baker in 2021, requires school districts to offer instruction about the history of genocide to middle and high school students.
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The report also tasked the DESE with developing curricula and best practices for teaching about antisemitism and Jewish identity.
To support students in understanding key global events, DESE will provide resources on topics such as “Ancient Israel, Palestine, and the modern State of Israel,” while also addressing harmful stereotypes and digital misinformation.
Schools will also be required to offer mandatory anti-bias training for all faculty, administrators, and school committees, with a special focus on antisemitism. This training will be aligned with a framework developed by DESE and the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) definition of antisemitism.
Launching a Bias Reporting Program
To ensure the safety of Jewish communities, Massachusetts is considering the launch of a statewide Bias Reporting Program that includes antisemitism as a specific category of hate.
The program, which would initially be piloted in select districts and be evaluated for statewide rollout within 18 months, would track both hate crimes and less severe bias incidents, enabling schools to respond with restorative justice or other non-punitive measures.
In addition, school counseling departments were encouraged to provide trauma-informed support to Jewish students affected by antisemitic bullying. Schools will also be required to establish clear, transparent protocols for reporting and handling incidents of hate, bias, or discrimination, including protections for whistleblowers, as well as how (and when) to report incidents to law enforcement.
Legal guidance
The commission also called for regular distribution of guidance to schools on their legal obligations to prevent and address hate and bias. This includes clarifying protections under Massachusetts law, as well as reinforcing the need for schools to maintain a safe and supportive environment for Jewish students.
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The commission encouraged school leaders to make strong public statements against antisemitism, both at the start of each school year and following any incidents. Administrators will be urged to communicate clearly about school values and expectations, ensuring that the message of intolerance towards antisemitism is consistently reinforced.
The commission also tasked the DESE to collaborate with the Attorney General’s office to provide schools with guidance on First Amendment rights. Additionally, the commission suggested the DESE implement a system for reviewing and addressing problematic teaching materials that could promote bias or discrimination.
Building solidarity and community
Finally, the recommendations emphasized the importance of fostering cross-communal solidarity.
Schools will be encouraged to promote after-school programs and activities that bring students from different backgrounds together, using shared experiences like sports, volunteering, and fitness to build community.
Additionally, active bystander training will be rolled out at schools to ensure that both students and staff are equipped to safely intervene in incidents of bias or discrimination.
The commission is set to submit its final report to the Massachusetts House and Senate by November 30.
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