South Dakota State Standards

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South Dakota Holocaust & Genocide Education Summary

Legal Status

  • Mandated by law: Yes (effective since 2021–22)
  • State law requires “Holocaust education shall be taught in all public schools” beginning with the 2021–22 school year [oai_citation:0‡standwithus.com](https://www.standwithus.com/post/south-dakota-s-gov-noem-signs-the-ihra-working-definition-of-antisemitism-into-law?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
  • HB 1076 (2024) defines “antisemitism” under IHRA standards—but it does **not** directly prescribe educational content

How the Holocaust Appears in South Dakota’s Standards

  • Holocaust instruction is a **required unit** in public school curricula, though districts determine grade placement and classroom approach
  • Social Studies Standards allow Holocaust content to be embedded within WWII history, genocide studies, civic awareness, etc.

Supplemental Teaching Tools Encouraged

  • Primary sources and survivor testimony, like multimedia and written accounts
  • National curricula (Echoes & Reflections; U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum)
  • Regional human rights and genocide studies resources (e.g., University of South Dakota offerings)

Teaching Notes for South Dakota Educators

AreaGuidance
Mandated by LawYes—Holocaust unit required from 2021–22
Included in CurriculumYes—districts choose where and how to teach
Grade LevelsDetermined locally; unassigned statewide
Instructional FlexibilityHigh—curricular placement is locally controlled
Antisemitism DefinitionIHRA definition adopted for discrimination law (HB 1076, 2024)
Professional DevelopmentNot specified; districts rely on external curricula and local training

Conclusion

Since the 2021–22 school year, South Dakota law mandates a Holocaust education unit in all public schools, though districts determine how and when it’s taught. While a 2024 law adopting the IHRA definition of antisemitism bolsters legal clarity around discrimination, it doesn’t directly shape curriculum. Educators are encouraged to leverage national and regional resources—including survivor testimony and university materials—to enrich Holocaust and genocide instruction.

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.