Kentucky State Standards

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Kentucky Holocaust Education Summary

Legal Status

  • Mandated by law: Yes
  • Under the Ann Klein & Fred Gross Holocaust Education Act (HB 128, 2018), enacted as an amendment to KRS 156.160
  • Requires Holocaust and genocide instruction in all public middle and high schools [oai_citation:0‡timesofisrael.com](https://www.timesofisrael.com/holocaust-studies-made-mandatory-in-kentucky-after-push-by-catholic-teacher/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
  • Kentucky was among the first 23 states to mandate Holocaust education; the law was unanimously passed in both state legislative chambers

How the Holocaust Appears in Kentucky’s Standards

Middle & High School (Grades 7–12)

  • Every public middle and high school must include Holocaust and other genocide instruction at least once between grades 7–12
  • Instruction must explore historical context, causes, UN-defined genocide criteria, survivor testimony, and moral implications

Supplemental Teaching Tools Encouraged

Kentucky educators are supported by:

  • University of Kentucky–Jewish Heritage Fund Holocaust Education Initiative (UK–JHF HEI), offering teacher training and resources
  • Guidelines from the Kentucky Department of Education (“Required Instruction of the Holocaust and Other Cases of Genocide”)
  • Echoes & Reflections curriculum
  • U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum materials
  • Survivor testimony videos and primary source documents

Teaching Notes for Kentucky Educators

AreaGuidance
Mandated by LawYes — HB 128 (2018, KRS 156.160)
Included in CurriculumYes — Grades 7–12 required
Grade LevelsMiddle school and high school (Grades 7–12)
Instructional FlexibilityMedium — districts choose when and how to teach the unit
Professional DevelopmentSupported via UK–JHF HEI and KDE publications

Conclusion

Kentucky law mandates that all public middle and high schools teach a unit on the Holocaust and other genocides at least once during Grades 7–12. The curriculum includes study of historical causes, UN-defined genocide criteria, survivor narratives, justice mechanisms, and ethical reflection. Support is provided through university teacher training initiatives, state department guidelines, and nationally recognized resources.

Select a State below, to check the Holocaust educational standards:

Leslie Benitah is a journalist, filmmaker, and third-generation Holocaust survivor dedicated to preserving memory and com- bating historical denial through storytelling. Holding a PhD in Journalism from the Sorbonne, she began her career as a journalist, later becoming editor-in-chief, and eventually serving as Executive Producer for TF1, France’s leading network, where she helped shape primetime content for millions of viewers.

After moving to Miami in 2006, she ran a major French- language publication before returning to film, directing critically acclaimed documentaries and collaborating with top production companies for over 20 years.

Driven by activism and education, Leslie co-founded The Last Ones—a groundbreaking documentary series that has amassed millions of views across social media and is used as an official educational tool in schools worldwide. Featuring over 150 survivor testimonies filmed across multiple continents, The Last Ones bridges past and present, ensuring younger generations remain engaged with Holocaust history. Leslie frequently speaks in schools, advocating for education as the most powerful tool against misinformation and hate.