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
| Area | Guidance |
|---|---|
| Mandated by Law | No |
| Included in Curriculum | Recommended, not required |
| Grade Levels | Middle and high school (Grades 7–12) |
| Instructional Flexibility | High – schools determine if/how to teach |
| Professional Development | Dependent 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.