Connecticut State Standards

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Connecticut Holocaust Education Summary

Legal Status

  • Mandated by law: Yes
  • Required under the Connecticut Public Act 18‑24 (effective July 1, 2018)
  • Codified in Connecticut General Statutes § 10‑18f
  • All local and regional school boards must include Holocaust and genocide education in social studies curricula each school year [oai_citation:0‡codes.findlaw.com](https://codes.findlaw.com/ct/title-10-education-and-culture/ct-gen-st-sect-10-18f/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

How the Holocaust Appears in Connecticut’s Standards

Middle & High School (Grades 7–12)

  • Holocaust and genocide instruction is required as part of the social studies curriculum (no specific grade level mandated)
  • Districts may integrate lessons into history, civics, English, or other relevant subjects
  • High school standards include multiple expectations for understanding Holocaust events and broader genocides

Supplemental Teaching Tools Encouraged

Connecticut educators often enhance instruction with:

  • Connecticut State Department of Education’s “Teaching the Holocaust and Genocide” resource guide
  • Echoes & Reflections curriculum
  • U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum materials
  • Survivor testimony videos and other primary source resources

Teaching Notes for Connecticut Educators

AreaGuidance
Mandated by LawYes (Public Act 18‑24 effective July 1, 2018)
Included in CurriculumYes, across grades 7–12
Grade LevelsMiddle school and high school (integrated flexibly by districts)
Instructional FlexibilityHigh—districts choose how/when to integrate lessons
Professional DevelopmentSupported by CT State DOE and external partners

Conclusion

Connecticut law requires public schools to include Holocaust and genocide education each year across grades 7–12. While no specific grade is mandated, districts have flexibility to embed these lessons within social studies or related subjects. Teachers are encouraged to use state resources, multimedia curricula, and survivor testimony to effectively convey both the historical facts and the moral dimensions of the Holocaust within a broader civic and human rights context.

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.