Rhode Island State Standards

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Rhode Island Holocaust & Genocide Education Summary

Legal Status

  • Mandated by law: Yes
  • Required since 2016 under **2016‑H 7488A / S 2396A**, effective in the 2017–18 school year [oai_citation:0‡ride.ri.gov](https://ride.ri.gov/instruction-assessment/social-studies/holocaust-and-genocide-education-resources?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
  • State law (Title 16‑93) requires every district to include a unit on the Holocaust and genocide for all secondary students
  • In 2021, legislation established a permanent **Rhode Island Holocaust & Genocide Education Commission** to oversee implementation

How the Holocaust Appears in Rhode Island’s Standards

Middle & High School (Secondary Education)

  • Every district must teach at least one unit covering the Holocaust and other genocides (e.g., Armenia, Rwanda, Cambodia, Darfur) by graduation
  • Curriculum may be offered in middle or high school, according to district discretion
  • State Department of Education must provide curriculum materials via the Commission

Supplemental Teaching Tools Encouraged

  • Curriculum and professional support materials from the Rhode Island Commission
  • Resources from U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, Echoes & Reflections
  • Survivor-student sessions, primary documents, and multimedia tools

Teaching Notes for Rhode Island Educators

AreaGuidance
Mandated by LawYes – 2016‑H7488A/S2396A; effective 2017–18 (Title 16‑93)
Included in CurriculumYes – one unit on Holocaust + genocides for all secondary students
Grade LevelsMiddle or high school, as determined by districts
Oversight BodyRhode Island Holocaust & Genocide Education Commission (established 2021)
Implementation SupportState-provided materials and professional development

Conclusion

Rhode Island requires all public school districts to offer at least one unit on the Holocaust and other genocides for secondary students. Legislation passed in 2016 set the mandate, and a 2021 law created a permanent Commission to oversee materials and teacher support. The Rhode Island Department of Education and the Commission provide vetted curriculum, training, and resources including survivor testimony and national materials to ensure meaningful and consistent instruction.

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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.