Iowa State Standards

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Iowa Holocaust Education Summary

Legal Status

  • Mandated by law: No
  • As of 2025, Iowa does not have a legal requirement for Holocaust or genocide education
  • Advocates and educators have called for comprehensive teaching that “paints the full picture” of the Holocaust and its broader context

How the Holocaust Appears in Iowa’s Standards

Middle & High School (Grades 7–12)

  • Holocaust education is not required but is recommended as part of broader social studies and world history curricula
  • Educators are encouraged to tackle prejudice, global indifference, and the moral lessons of standing up against hate

Supplemental Teaching Tools Encouraged

To deliver meaningful instruction, Iowa educators may use resources such as:

  • Wassmuth Center for Human Rights materials (Idaho Anne Frank Memorial equivalent)
  • Echoes & Reflections curriculum
  • U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum resources
  • Survivor testimony videos and primary source documents like Art Spiegelman’s Maus presentations

Teaching Notes for Iowa Educators

AreaGuidance
Mandated by LawNo
Included in CurriculumRecommended, not required
Grade LevelsMiddle and high school (Grades 7–12)
Instructional FlexibilityHigh – schools determine if/how to teach
Professional DevelopmentDependent on district initiatives and teacher preference

Conclusion

Iowa does not legally require Holocaust education, but there is strong encouragement from educators and community leaders to include it as an essential part of middle and high school social studies. When taught, it should cover historical facts and broader moral and civic lessons—including the dangers of indifference, prejudice, and hatred—using survivor testimony and engaging primary sources.

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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.