California Department of Education strikes back against antisemitic discrimination in K-12 schools

As this year’s first night of Hanukkah has shown us, antisemitic violence is now a regular feature of life in Western society.

In response to a troubling rise in antisemitic incidents following October 7, 2023, the California Department of Education (CDE) has begun taking decisive action by issuing a steady stream of binding legal decisions and enforcement actions aimed at safeguarding Jewish students. These rulings highlight dozens of cases where school districts were found to have violated the state’s Education Code through acts of discrimination, harassment, and the use of biased or inaccurate instructional materials that reflect adversely on Jewish identity. As the highest arbiter of education law in the state, the CDE is establishing a powerful body of precedent that mandates "accurate and inclusive" education, ensuring that classroom discussions on controversial topics are balanced and that districts fulfill their affirmative obligation to provide a safe, equitable environment for all students.

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