Oregon State Standards

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Oregon Holocaust & Genocide Education Summary

Legal Status

  • Mandated by law: Yes
  • Required under **ORS 329.494**, amended by **SB 664 (2019)**, effective July 1, 2020 [oai_citation:0‡oregon.public.law](https://oregon.public.law/statutes/ors_329.494?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
  • The Oregon State Board of Education must set academic content standards in consultation with Holocaust education organizations
  • Standards enforced beginning in the 2026–27 school year, with technical assistance from the Department of Education

How the Holocaust Appears in Oregon’s Standards

All K–12 Grades

  • Instruction must cover causes, immorality, diversity, human rights, genocide definition, and restorative justice
  • Students should reflect on roles of bystander, victim, perpetrator, rescuer; analyze prejudice and civic responsibility
  • Instruction also includes examining discrimination in Oregon’s own history

Supplemental Teaching Tools Encouraged

  • Resources from Oregon Department of Education, including SB 664 grade-level guidance
  • Curriculum support from the Oregon Jewish Museum & Center for Holocaust Education
  • National materials like Echoes & Reflections and the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum
  • Survivor testimony videos, historical documents, and classroom reflection guides

Teaching Notes for Oregon Educators

AreaGuidance
Mandated by LawYes – ORS 329.494 and SB 664 (2019)
Included in CurriculumYes – Grades K–12
Instruction TimelineStandards in place by 2026–27; pilot from 2020–21
Instructional FocusHistorical causes, moral/ethical reflection, civic responsibility
Professional SupportODE technical assistance, museum partnerships, grade-level guides

Conclusion

Oregon mandates comprehensive Holocaust and genocide education across Grades K–12. Beginning in 2020–21, districts began integrating lessons using SB 664 guidance, with formal academic standards enforced beginning 2026–27. Teaching covers history, morality, civic duty, and Oregon-specific discrimination, supported by ODE guidance, museum partnerships, and national teaching materials. Educators are encouraged to use survivor testimony, primary sources, and structured reflection to ensure impactful learning.

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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.