Recent data has revealed concerning trends in Holocaust awareness, with an Economist poll indicating that 20% of young Americans believe the Holocaust to be a myth. Even more disturbing is the rise in antisemitic rhetoric and violence, both globally and here in the United States -- including our Commonwealth. If we do not educate, we risk forgetting. If we do not remember, we risk repeating history.

Currently, public school entities can choose to offer instruction in Holocaust, genocide, and human rights violations to students. If offered by the school entity, the instruction must be integrated within the social studies and language arts courses of study and may be integrated into other appropriate courses of study as well. The Department of Education must establish curriculum guidelines, but a school entity choosing to offer Holocaust and genocide instruction may use any curriculum that is consistent with the law’s requirements. Each school entity offering the instruction must provide in-service training concerning the Holocaust, genocide and human rights violations for those educators who will teach in these areas.

While schools have the framework to teach Holocaust education, there is no standardized method for parents to access and review the curriculum materials being used to educate their children on these crucial historical events.

This legislation requires any school entity offering this instruction to make the curriculum available on its website at least every three years. Similarly, the Department of Education will be required to post on its website the curriculum guidelines provided to school entities under this bill.

It is imperative that our public schools continue to foster an understanding about the Holocaust, genocide, and human rights violations considering recent events.

Please join me in cosponsoring this bill to ensure educational transparency and support accurate historical understanding during this critical period.
 

Statutes/Laws affected:
Printer's No. 0817: P.L.30, No.14