OCR Opens Title VI Investigation Into NYCDOE Over Antisemitic Discrimination
Summary
The U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) opened an investigation into the New York City Department of Education (NYCDOE) on April 23, 2026, to determine whether NYCDOE violated Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by discriminating against Jewish students. OCR received multiple reports that NYCDOE employees organized teaching seminars for the group 'NYC Educators for Palestine,' allegedly teaching children as young as five about Hamas and its 'martyrs' and characterizing Zionists as 'genocidal white supremacists,' creating a potentially hostile environment for Jewish students. The investigation follows President Trump's January 29, 2025 Executive Order 'Additional Measures to Combat Anti-Semitism,' directing vigorous enforcement of anti-discrimination laws in education.
“OCR will investigate these appalling allegations to ensure the equal treatment of all students.”
Educational institutions receiving federal funds should review curriculum, staff training programs, and policies to identify and address potential Title VI violations involving antisemitic discrimination or harassment, as this investigation signals heightened enforcement under the current administration.
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What changed
OCR has formally opened a Title VI civil rights investigation into NYCDOE, alleging that employees organized teaching seminars that taught hostility toward Jewish students. The complaints allege the group 'NYC Educators for Palestine' taught children as young as five about 'contemporary and historical Palestinian resistance,' that Zionists are 'genocidal white supremacists,' and to support Hamas and its 'martyrs' (deceased terrorists), potentially creating a hostile educational environment.
Schools and districts receiving federal financial assistance should treat this as a signal of heightened civil rights enforcement under the current administration. Educational institutions should review curriculum, staff training, and policies for Title VI compliance and ensure that discriminatory harassment based on national origin (as it applies to Jewish students) is not occurring in their programs. OCR will investigate these allegations to ensure equal treatment of all students.
Archived snapshot
Apr 24, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
Press Release
U.S. Department of Education Initiates Title VI Investigation into NYC Department of Education for Alleged Antisemitic Discrimination
April 23, 2026
Today, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) opened an investigation into the New York City Department of Education (NYCDOE) to determine whether NYCDOE violated Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI) by discriminating against Jewish students.
Many reports received by OCR indicate that a group of NYCDOE employees organized a series of teaching seminars focused on “Palestine, Zionism, and Resistance.” The so-called “NYC Educators for Palestine” allegedly teach children as young as five about “contemporary and historical Palestinian resistance,” that Zionists are “genocidal white supremacists,” and to support the federally designated terrorist organization Hamas and its “martyrs” (i.e. dead terrorists). Complaints received by OCR allege that these actions in NYCDOE teach and sow hostility and hatred towards Jewish students, potentially creating a hostile environment.
“No child should be taught by his or her teachers to hate their peers. Neither should Jewish children be taught that being Jewish somehow makes them inherently guilty or proponents of hate and violence,” said Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Kimberly Richey. “Discrimination has no place in our schools, and, unlike the previous Administration, the Trump Administration will not turn a blind eye to antisemitic harassment. OCR will investigate these appalling allegations to ensure the equal treatment of all students.”
Background
On January 29, 2025, President Trump signed an Executive Order titled Additional Measures to Combat Anti-Semitism, stating that it is “the policy of the United States to combat anti-Semitism vigorously, using all available and appropriate legal tools.”
Title VI and its implementing regulations prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, and national origin in educational programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance.
Contact
Press Office (202) 401-1576 press@ed.gov
Tags
Civil Rights Title VI
Office of Communications and Outreach (OCO) Page Last Reviewed: April 23, 2026
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The U.S. Department of Education has sent a Dear Colleague Letter to educational institutions receiving federal funds notifying them that they must cease using race preferences and stereotypes.
February 15, 2025
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