Back in late 2022, news circulated across New York about the increased need for Holocaust Education in public schools following a study that indicated how the state was among the lowest in the country, if not the lowest in some categories. A Holocaust Bill soon followed with New York Governor Kathy Hochul signing it and placing a priority on improving the teaching and learning of this important topic in history.
Fast forward to life after October 7, 2024 and the fall out of the tragic events that took place in Israel has shined a much-needed light on the matter in schools and in homes across the United States.
According to a recent Newsweek article, "there have been great strides in educational advancements in teaching the Holocaust— though teachers must remain vigilant in how they address the topic amid a period of unlimited information and reemerged antisemitism."
Citing the recent historic events, the availability of increased educational materials, and a plea for responsibility, staff writer Nick Mordowanec explains how teachers at different high school grade levels are making the most out of teaching such a daunting subject and topic.
"In general, we think it would be accurate to say that requirements for Holocaust education have increased over the last couple of decades—coming both from details in state standards, and also requests from educators," said Tyler Reed, a spokesperson for McGraw Hill, one of the largest U.S. publishers of materials presented in pre-K through postgraduate education.
"Additionally, there are now many states that have legislative mandates requiring Holocaust education in K-12, in addition to the state standards that have required instruction on it for many years."
Read the full article from Newsweek.
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