At a recent hearing titled “From Playground to Classroom: The Spread of Antisemitism in K-12 Schools,” Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education Subcommittee Chairman Kevin Kiley (R-CA) addressed concerns about the rise of antisemitism within primary and secondary education.
Kiley began by referencing the committee’s previous work on antisemitism at universities, which led to resignations among university presidents and reforms at several institutions. He noted that despite these efforts, Jewish students continue to face discrimination and civil rights violations in higher education.
Kiley stated that similar issues are now appearing in K-12 schools. He cited examples from California where some Jewish students have withdrawn due to what he described as hostile environments. He also referenced findings by the California Department of Education that certain ethnic studies curricula have been deemed antisemitic in multiple districts.
He outlined three main factors contributing to this trend. First, he pointed to teachers colleges that, according to him, encourage faculty to act as activists rather than educators and promote divisive ideologies. Second, he criticized local and national teachers unions for allegedly supporting antisemitic activism. Specifically, he mentioned the National Education Association (NEA), stating: “Take the National Education Association for example, which the Committee recently announced it will investigate. The NEA uses its position as the largest union in the country to spread antisemitism nationwide. In July, its Representative Assembly voted to ban one of the nation’s premier antisemitism watchdogs, the Anti-Defamation League.” Third, Kiley highlighted outside groups working with school districts to introduce instructional materials containing antisemitic content.
Kiley said these factors contribute to an environment where Jewish students and teachers experience discrimination and may be forced to change schools. He added that administrative responses at various levels have allowed such problems to persist.
“Many of the incidents documented by our witnesses today truly shock the conscience,” Kiley said. “The disgraceful reality we are faced with—that one of the world’s most ancient, retrograde prejudices has deeply infected our public education system—demands decisive action. We must use every tool available to protect students across America and to stop poisonous ideologies from corrupting their schooling.”
He concluded: “My colleagues and I are committed to understanding why antisemitism has gone unchecked at the K-12 level and to ensuring a safe learning environment for Jewish students.”
