North Carolina State Standards

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North Carolina Holocaust & Genocide Education Summary

Legal Status

  • Mandated by law: Yes
  • Required under the **Gizella Abramson Holocaust Education Act (G.S. 115C-81.57)**, passed in 2021 [oai_citation:0‡abc11.com](https://abc11.com/school-curriculum-holocaust-new-state-law-education/11515103/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
  • Effective starting the 2023–24 school year, aligning with the federal Never Again Education Act
  • North Carolina Department of Public Instruction oversees implementation with guidance from the NC Council on the Holocaust and the NC Center for the Advancement of Teaching

How the Holocaust Appears in North Carolina’s Standards

Grades 6–12 (English, Social Studies, electives)

  • State Board reviews and integrates Holocaust and genocide content into standard English and social studies courses in grades 6–12
  • Optional elective, “Holocaust & Genocide Studies,” is available for middle and high schools
  • Curriculum must define terms such as “antisemitism,” “Holocaust,” and “Holocaust denial/distortion” per federal standards

Implementation & Support

  • DPI provides curriculum content and localized boards ensure professional development
  • Funding allocated (e.g., $250,000 per year in 2021–22 and 2022–23) to develop the curriculum and train educators
  • Implementation commenced in Fall 2023, with resources posted to state and CANVAS platforms

Supplemental Teaching Tools Encouraged

  • Curriculum resources curated by DPI, NC Council on the Holocaust, and NCCAT
  • Materials from U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum & Echoes & Reflections
  • Primary sources: state archives, newspaper articles (1933–46), survivor testimony videos

Teaching Notes for North Carolina Educators

AreaGuidance
Mandated by LawYes – G.S. 115C‑81.57 (2021), effective 2023–24
Included in CurriculumYes – Grades 6–12 via English, Social Studies, and elective
Instructional Elective“Holocaust & Genocide Studies” available in middle/high school
State OversightDPI with NC Council & NCCAT collaboration
Professional DevelopmentState-funded training, local board implementation

Conclusion

North Carolina’s Gizella Abramson Holocaust Education Act mandates integrated Holocaust and genocide instruction for students in grades 6–12, effective from the 2023–24 school year. The law ensures content is woven into required courses, complemented by an elective, supported by clear federal definitions, funded curriculum development, and statewide professional training. Resources include archival materials, survivor testimony, and nationally recognized curricula.

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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.