State Defends Newton Schools Against Anti-Semitic Accusations

A group has repeatedly accused the Newton Public Schools of using anti-Semitic and Islamic Dogma, but school officials have denied it, and now the State has defended they district.

Americans for Peace and Tolerance, a Watertown-based group, recently took out advertisements in a number of publications - including the Boston Globe Boston Herald and Newton Tab - accusing the Newton schools of using the anti-Semitic materials. Members of clergy in Newton and the Anti-Defamation League, however, said the ads were misleading.

The readings were part of the world history curriculum at Newton North and Newton South high schools, which include sections on major religions from around the world.

A complaint was filed in May with the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education by a Newton parent against the school system, the Boston Globe reports. On Sept. 17, state officials sent a letter to the parent, that stated the agency said it found no violation of education law, regulation or policy, the Globe reported.

Read the entire Boston Globe article here.