A draft of DESE’s rubric for evaluating curricular materials and professional development on antisemitism and societal bias prevention is open for public comment through December 1, 2025.
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is collecting public comment on a draft of the Antisemitism and Societal Bias Prevention Curriculum and Professional Development Rubric. Public comment may be submitted online using a DESE’s public comment survey link. Preview the items on survey tool here.
As part of DESE’s implementation of MA G.L. Ch. 71 Sec. 98A Provision of resources relative to antisemitism and societal bias, DESE has published a website on Resources Relative to Antisemitism and Societal Bias. A draft rubric has been developed for educators and professional development providers to use when evaluating instructional materials, curriculum resources and professional development content through a lens of both preventing and addressing antisemitism, racism, religious hate, and discrimination.
The single-point rubric framework lists criteria for evaluation, indicators for the “meets expectation” standard and links to additional materials.
The proposed criteria include:
- Materials align with the Massachusetts History and Social Science (HSS) Curriculum Framework
- Materials address antisemitism within broader context of societal bias
- Materials support students’ mental and emotional health and building healthy relationships in combatting antisemitism and societal bias
- Materials have students evaluate and analyze information and sources aligned with the expectations across the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks
- Materials include general elements of high-quality curricula and are accessible for all students
- Materials include helpful supports for educators
- Professional development is aligned to and meets the criteria for high quality
Who would use this rubric? Well, anyone. This rubric simply will be a tool which educators may use as a resource when evaluating materials and content. This draft rubric is part of the larger work of DESE regarding school safety and supports.
Draft Antisemitism and Societal Bias Prevention Curriculum and Professional Development Rubric
Copy of Public Comment Survey Tool
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