New York State Standards

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New York Holocaust & Genocide Education Summary

Legal Status

  • Mandated by law: Yes
  • Required under **Education Law § 801** since 1994 and strengthened by **Chapter 490 of the Laws of 2022**
  • **S.8673 (2023)** directs the Board of Regents to provide age‑appropriate materials and pacing guides for Holocaust and genocide instruction

How the Holocaust Appears in New York’s Standards

Middle & High School (Grades 8–12)

  • Required K–12 instruction in “patriotism, citizenship, and human rights,” with **particular attention to genocide and the Holocaust**, beginning at age 8
  • The State’s Social Studies Framework explicitly references Holocaust instruction in **grades 8, 10, and 11**, covering WWII atrocities, Nuremberg Trials, UN human-rights system
  • Post‑2022 law mandates district-level surveys and corrective plans to ensure compliance

Supplemental Teaching Tools Encouraged

  • Board of Regents–developed pacing guides and supporting materials
  • Curricula from the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum & Echoes & Reflections
  • Survivor testimony videos and primary source documents

Teaching Notes for New York Educators

AreaGuidance
Mandated by LawYes – Education Law § 801; Chapter 490 (2022)
Included in CurriculumYes – grades 8–12 (Framework references)
Instructional RequirementsPatriotism, citizenship, human rights, emphasis on Holocaust/genocide
Materials & SupportBoard‑provided pacing guides; SED surveys on compliance
Monitoring & OversightDistrict attestations, corrective plans where needed

Conclusion

New York state law requires Holocaust and genocide education across grades 8–12, embedded within broader human-rights and civic curricula. The Board of Regents and State Education Department provide materials, pacing guides, and compliance oversight through regular district surveys. This ensures students learn not only historical facts but also develop moral understanding rooted in survivor testimony, global justice frameworks, and personal responsibility.

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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.