The School District of Philadelphia pushed back Thursday against a congressional committee report that accuses the district of fomenting antisemitism.
The district’s response comes after the Committee on Education and Workforce released a report Wednesday accusing the district of teaching antisemitism, claiming in part that it taught lessons excusing violence and that its curriculum includes a unit describing all resistance as “righteous.”
“The Committee uncovered evidence that political activism has increasingly displaced educational neutrality and contributed to an environment in which antisemitism is minimized, excused, and even permitted to flourish,” the report says.
In a statement, school district leaders responded to the report’s claims, saying in part that they “object to the blatantly partisan framing” of the school district just days before the November midterm election.
“The report distorts and mischaracterizes our record. In fact, the District has taken serious steps to combat all forms of hate in our schools, including a new record management system, revised policies, mandatory annual training for staff, and appropriate disciplinary actions. We remain committed to fostering a safe and
welcoming environment for our students and staff,” Monique Braxton, spokesperson for the school district, wrote in a statement.
Read the full report below:
Last month, Pennsylvania Republican House leaders called on the Attorney General to investigate the School District of Philadelphia for suspected discrimination against Jewish students.
In a letter, House members outlined what they said was a systemic pattern of discrimination against Jewish students that prevents them from equal access to education.
In response, Superintendent Tony Watlington told the committee that district teachers and administrators would no longer write the social studies curriculum and that the social studies curriculum director was undergoing a termination proceeding.
In the report released Wednesday, the committee said no other employees had been “adequately disciplined for spreading antisemitism.” However, school district leaders said that they have taken the necessary steps to address the concerns.
“The Board of Education does not agree with the findings in the Committee’s report. We are committed to fostering school climates where all students and staff feel supported and safe. Dr. Tony B. Watlington, Sr., Ed. D. and the School District of Philadelphia team have taken significant steps to fight antisemitism and other forms of hate,” Board President Reginald Streater wrote in a statement.
This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser.
