State commission outlines plan to combat antisemitism in K-12 schools

A Massachusetts commission has pledged to combat rising antisemitism in K-12 schools, particularly after the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel. The Special Commission on Combating Antisemitism's report reveals significant inconsistencies in how schools respond to these incidents. To address this, the Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) recommends establishing an Advisory Council on Holocaust and Genocide Education to assist schools with curriculum development. The DESE will create educational resources on antisemitism and Jewish identity while providing anti-bias training for all faculty members. Furthermore, the commission proposes a statewide Bias Reporting Program to track hate incidents and promote non-punitive responses.

Schools will also be required to implement transparent protocols for reporting incidents of hate and bias. Legal guidance on schools' obligations to prevent discrimination will be regularly distributed. Strong public statements against antisemitism by school leaders will reinforce intolerance toward hate.