Holocaust Education and Antisemitism Lessons Act
This bill, titled the Holocaust Education and Antisemitism Lessons Act, would require the Director of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (USHMM) to conduct a nationwide study of Holocaust education in states, local educational agencies (LEAs), and public elementary and secondary schools. The study would examine curriculum requirements (whether Holocaust education is required or optional), standards, dissemination of curricula, teacher professional development, involvement of informal education organizations (like museums), and gaps or challenges. It would also look at outcomes, teaching methods, materials (including primary sources), disciplines and time allocated, and how Holocaust knowledge and antisemitism are assessed. After completing the study, the Director would submit a report to Congress within the earlier of 180 days after study completion or three years after enactment. The bill defines key terms (including Holocaust education and project-based learning) and aligns its definitions with related education acts. In short, the bill aims to map and analyze how Holocaust education is being taught across the country, identify gaps and needs, and provide a detailed report to Congress to inform potential future policy or resource efforts.
Key Points
- 1Scope of the study: The Director must study all States, a nationally representative sample of local educational agencies, and a representative sample of public elementary and secondary schools served by those LEAs.
- 2What will be examined:
- 3- Whether Holocaust education is required or optional in curricula.
- 4- Each State’s standards and local agency requirements, including whether there is a centralized curriculum dissemination system, and whether there are professional development opportunities for teachers.
- 5- Involvement of informal education organizations (e.g., museums, cultural centers).
- 6- Challenges or gaps preventing implementation, training/resources needs, and adoption of USHMM resources by state/local entities.
- 7Outcomes and teaching methods: The study will identify intended learning outcomes, and how teachers achieve them (classroom discussions, outside-the-class activities, project-based learning, trauma-informed materials, and cross-curricular integration).
- 8Materials and assessment: The study will catalog instructional materials used (including primary sources), disciplines taught, time allotted, and how comprehensively Holocaust education is covered. It will also assess both traditional and nontraditional ways of measuring outcomes, including knowledge of the Holocaust and ability to analyze antisemitism, hate, and genocide in historical and current contexts.
- 9Reporting timeline and definitions: After the study, the USHMM Director must report to Congress by the earlier of 180 days after study completion or three years after enactment. Key terms (elementary/secondary school, LEA, State, Holocaust, Holocaust education, and project-based learning) are defined to align with existing education law and related acts.