Entryism Exposed Investigating the Rise of Antisemitism, Anti-Israel, and Anti-American Bias in NYC Public Schools

Key Findings:

A joint NYCPS Alliance-NCRI investigation into politically- and ethnically-motivated incidents in New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) found that the New York City Department of Education (DOE) has either contributed to or failed to address issues that have left Jewish students and staff vulnerable to rising antisemitism in their schools and workplaces since the onset of the Israel-Hamas war on October 7, 2023.

This rise in antisemitic incidents is fueled by politically biased curricular materials and external influences, which have spread one-sided narratives, empowered activist networks promoting anti-Israel content, and created an uncomfortable, and at times hostile, environment for Jewish students and staff. 

Key takeaways:

(1) Failure to Enforce Anti-Discrimination Protections: The DOE has failed to consistently enforce Chancellor Regulations (including A-830 and A-832), fostering an environment where Jewish students and staff face both subtle and overt discrimination based on their ethnicity, religion, and social/political affiliation. This report highlights systemic shortcomings in applying these protections, which has allowed this hostile environment to persist.

(2) Implicit Bias in Education Material: Some DOE curriculum and DOE-approved materials emphasize themes that may, intentionally or not, cause students to view domestic and global conflicts through an overly simplistic lens of oppressors and victims. This report argues that in result, this framing distorts complex geopolitical issues, such as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, by reducing them to simplistic narratives, which in turn marginalizes Jewish students and staff, contributing to their isolation and discrimination.

(3) Explicit Bias in Educational Materials: The DOE has allowed the use of educational materials that often present a one-sided narrative on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, featuring Israel as the oppressor. This bias has contributed to an environment where Jewish students and staff are marginalized and discriminated against.

(4) External Influence in Curriculum Development: The DOE has not sufficiently monitored the influence of external organizations, some with foreign ties, on the development of school curricula. This report suggests that these materials promote biased perspectives that are inconsistent with the DOE’s commitment to inclusivity and protection of all students regardless of religious or ethnic origin. 

(4) Inadequate Management of Political Activism: The DOE has failed to effectively manage political activism in schools, including actions led by educators that promote politically biased, simplistic, and divisive viewpoints. These activities have deepened divisions within the school community, disproportionately affecting Jewish staff and students and contributing to their social and political marginalization. 

(5) Urgent Need for DOE Reforms: This report is a call for immediate action from the DOE to fairly and consistently enforce Chancellor’s Regulations, review and remove biased materials from the curriculum, and implement stronger protections for Jewish students and staff. These reforms are essential to restoring trust and ensuring the safety and inclusion of all members of the school community.