Commission reviews DESE rubric to prevent antisemitism, requests clarity on school roles and rollout

The commission on civic education reviewed a draft Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) rubric intended to guide evaluation of instructional materials and professional development aimed at preventing antisemitism and societal bias.

During an extended discussion, the chair said the rubric should "remind the school districts of their legal obligations to adhere to nondiscrimination of all sorts" and recommended adding "a statement on the monitoring process for the implementation and adherence to this rubric." The chair also suggested the rubric explicitly delineate "school committee's role in being responsible for approving and overseeing instructional materials." (Chair, meeting remarks at 00:00:02–00:02:05.)

Commissioner Shikir asked whether DESE will provide training and education for the educators who will use the rubric and whether there will be an "audit on current content to ensure that there's alignment." (Commissioner Shikir, 00:03:20.)

Commissioner Desi read DESE's framing into the record: "The antisemitism and societal bias prevention curriculum in PD rubric is designed to support educators, including the department itself, DESE, in evaluating instructional materials and PD workshops specific to preventing antisemitism and societal bias. So evaluating is a key word there." Desi also noted the draft was developed by department staff, is open for public comment until 12/01/2025, and that DESE staff "will synthesize public comment and incorporate feedback into a revised final rubric to be posted for use in winter 2026." (Commissioner Desi, 00:04:17–00:05:08.)

One commissioner offered detailed substantive suggestions, urging the rubric to expand its definition of antisemitism to reflect that "Jews are also an ethno-religious people with common shared ancestry," and to include examples and references to federal guidance. That speaker recommended citing the U.S. Department of Education's 2024 guidance on Title VI and including examples from DESE's own frameworks for U.S. History courses to ensure maps and historical context present both the establishment of Israel and Palestinian displacement when appropriate. The commissioner said the purpose of that level of detail is to reduce inadvertent omissions and to provide teachers and reviewers a clear, balanced set of references to follow. (Commissioner, 00:06:27–00:11:30.)

Commissioner Fuller—speaking from experience as a member of a local school committee—warned against attributing to school committees responsibilities that, by law, belong to superintendents and district staff: "School committees do overall policies and goals. They don't pick textbooks. They don't do deep dives on curriculum." Fuller asked that any language about committee responsibilities be carefully worded to reflect statutory roles. (Commissioner Fuller, 00:12:41.)

The chair reiterated the need to clarify who bears legal obligations for nondiscrimination in curricular materials and suggested that clarifying language be added to the rubric so that local actors understand their duties and limits of authority. (Chair, 00:14:05.)

No DESE commissioner (Aaron Hashimoto Martel) was present; the record notes that DESE staff provided the framing read at the meeting and that Commissioner Hashimoto Martel could be invited to respond at a later meeting. Commissioners were encouraged to submit additional written comments during the open comment window. (Desi/Chair, 00:04:17–00:05:08; 00:12:03.)

The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn that was moved and seconded; the chair called for opposition, heard none, and adjourned the session. (Motion to adjourn moved at 00:23:16; second by Commissioner Memelow.)

What happens next: DESE staff will synthesize public comments and post a revised rubric in winter 2026. The draft remains open for public comment through Dec. 1, 2025.