When Does Missouri’s Holocaust Education Mandate Go Into Effect?
The Holocaust Education and Awareness Commission Act goes into effect for all Missouri school districts beginning in the 2025-26 school year.
Define The Term Holocaust
The term “Holocaust” shall be defined as the systematic, state-sponsored persecution and murder of six million Jews and millions of others by the Nazi German regime and its allies and collaborators during the period from 1933 through 1945.
What Is Holocaust Education Week?
The purpose of “Holocaust Education Week” is to educate students about the Holocaust and inspire in students a sense of responsibility to recognize and uphold human value and to prevent future atrocities.
When Is Holocaust Education Week?
The second week in April of each year shall be designated as “Holocaust Education Week”. Each school can determine how best to recognize “Holocaust Education Week”.
Can Holocaust Education Be Taught Outside Of Holocaust Education Week?
Yes, Holocaust education shall be taught during a week as determined by each school district. Each school district shall determine the minimum amount of instruction time that qualifies as a unit of instruction satisfying the requirements of the mandate.
Which Grade Levels Shall Holocaust Education Be Taught?
Holocaust education shall include age-appropriate instruction to elementary school students not lower than sixth grade and high school students as determined by each school district. At a minimum, Holocaust education shall be taught once in middle school and once in high school.
What Shall Holocaust Education Include?
Such instruction shall include, but not be limited to: a) Information providing a historical understanding of the Holocaust to offer context for the discussion of how and why the Holocaust happened; b) Participation, in person or using technology, in learning projects about the Holocaust.
What Materials Can Be Used To Teach Holocaust Education?
The use of materials developed or supported by the Missouri Holocaust Education and Awareness Commission, the St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum can be used to teach the Holocaust.
What Must School Districts Do To Prepare?
Each participating school district shall provide a plan of professional development for teachers to ensure such teachers are adequately prepared to provide the instruction required in the mandate. Professional training workshops are offered by the Missouri Holocaust Education and Awareness Commission, the St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum, the Midwest Center for Holocaust Education and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.
For more information, please visit moholocaustcommission.org or email info@moholocaustcommission.org