Michigan State Standards

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Michigan Holocaust & Genocide Education Summary

Legal Status

  • Mandated by law: Yes
  • Required under Michigan Compiled Laws MCL 380.1168 (Public Act 170 of 2016)
  • Mandates age‑ and grade‑appropriate instruction about genocide—including the Holocaust and Armenian Genocide—for grades 8–12
  • Recommends a total of at least six instructional hours on genocides during grades 8–12

How the Holocaust Appears in Michigan’s Standards

Grades 8–12 (Social Studies & Cross‑Curriculum)

  • Curriculum must include at least six hours of Holocaust and genocide instruction, which may be spread across courses or disciplines
  • Instruction may occur in World History & Geography, U.S. History, and even English classes (e.g., students reading *Night*)
  • The law created a Governor’s Council on Genocide & Holocaust Education to advise, promote, and support curricular implementation and statewide resources

Supplemental Teaching Tools Encouraged

  • Resources identified by the Governor’s Council on Genocide & Holocaust Education
  • U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum and Echoes & Reflections curricula
  • Survivor testimony videos, primary sources, historical literature (e.g., *Night*)

Teaching Notes for Michigan Educators

AreaGuidance
Mandated by LawYes – MCL 380.1168 (PA 170, 2016)
Included in CurriculumYes – grades 8–12
Instructional TimeAt least six hours of Holocaust/genocide education
Instructional FlexibilityMedium – lessons may be integrated across subjects and grade levels
Professional DevelopmentSupported via Governor’s Council and state-recommended resources

Conclusion

Michigan law requires that school districts teach Holocaust and genocide topics for students in grades 8–12, with a minimum of six instructional hours. Educators have flexibility to integrate lessons across social studies and humanities courses, supported by guidance from the Governor’s Council, national curricula, and primary source materials including survivor testimony and historical literature.

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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.