by A state commission on antisemitism has promised to put a number of policies into place as the new school year draws near in order to reduce antisemitic events in Massachusetts’ K–12 educational institutions.
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According to a report released by the Special Commission on Combating Antisemitism, antisemitic incidents in schools have sharply increased, especially since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel, and administrators, teachers, and students are finding it difficult to come up with suitable responses.
The commission underlined that many schools throughout the state are reluctant and inconsistent in their efforts to combat antisemitism.
The particular curricula and initiatives that local school districts employ to teach about antisemitism, Jewish history, and Jewish identity are not closely regulated by the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).
According to the report, as a result, neither DESE nor the commission have a clear idea of what resources each district is using to teach these courses in their classrooms.
According to the paper, some districts consequently react inefficiently, while others do not react at all.
Develop curriculum to educate students about genocide, antisemitism, and Jewish identity
The establishment of an Advisory Council on Holocaust and Genocide Education was suggested by the Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE).
This council will assist schools in implementing programs that meet the state’s Genocide Education Mandate and is anticipated to be established within the next six months. In 2021, then-Governor Charlie Baker signed the mandate, which mandates that educational systems teach middle and high school students about the history of genocide.
Additionally, the report assigned the DESE the responsibility of creating best practices and curricula for teaching Jewish identity and antisemitism.
DESE will counter negative preconceptions and online disinformation while offering materials on subjects like ancient Israel, Palestine, and the contemporary State of Israel to help students comprehend important world events.
Additionally, schools must provide mandatory anti-bias training, with a particular emphasis on antisemitism, to all staff, administrators, and school committees. The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) definition of antisemitism and a framework created by DESE will be in line with this course.
Launching a Bias Reporting Program
Massachusetts is proposing establishing a statewide Bias Reporting Program that would include antisemitism as a specific category of hatred in order to protect Jewish communities.
The initiative would document hate crimes and less serious bias incidents, allowing schools to respond with restorative justice or other non-punitive approaches. It would be tried in a few districts at first, then it would be reviewed for nationwide distribution within 18 months.
Additionally, school counseling departments were urged to offer Jewish students who have been the targets of antisemitic bullying trauma-informed treatment. Additionally, schools must set up transparent, unambiguous procedures for reporting and dealing with instances of bias, discrimination, or hate crimes. These procedures must include safeguards for those who come forward with information about such incidents, as well as instructions on when and how to notify law enforcement of them.
Legal guidance
The committee also demanded that schools receive regular instruction on their legal responsibilities to combat and avoid racism and hate. Clarifying safeguards under Massachusetts law and reiterating the necessity for schools to provide a secure and encouraging environment for Jewish kids are two examples of what this entails.
At the beginning of every school year and after any events, the commission urged school administrators to make forceful public declarations against antisemitism. In order to ensure that the message of intolerance towards antisemitism is continuously reinforced, administrators will be pushed to communicate clearly about school values and expectations.
Additionally, the panel assigned the DESE the responsibility of working with the Attorney General’s office to offer First Amendment counsel to schools. The commission also recommended that the DESE establish a mechanism for examining and correcting instructional materials that can encourage prejudice or discrimination.
Building solidarity and community
Lastly, the suggestions underlined how critical it is to promote intercommunal solidarity.
In order to foster a sense of community, schools will be urged to support after-school programs and activities that unite children from various backgrounds via common interests like sports, volunteer work, and fitness.
Schools will also implement active bystander training to make sure that staff and students are prepared to safely step in when bias or discrimination occurs.
By November 30, the commission is expected to deliver its final report to the Massachusetts Senate and House.
Annie Jonas writes for Boston.com as a community writer. She used to work as a freelancer at the Financial Times and as a local editor at Patch.
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