California Holocaust Education Summary
Legal Status
- Mandated by law: Yes
- Required through California Education Code §51220 and §51221
- Included in the California History–Social Science Content Standards and Framework
- Holocaust instruction is required in both middle and high school as part of the broader study of World War II, genocide, and human rights
How the Holocaust Appears in California’s Standards
Middle School (Grades 7–8) – World History & Civics
- The inhumanity of genocide and the Holocaust
- The rise of authoritarian regimes (such as Nazi Germany)
- Human rights issues connected to genocide
- The persecution of Jews and other targeted groups
High School (Grade 10) – World History
- Analyze the Nazi policy of racial purity and the Final Solution (HSS-10.8.5)
- Understand the global impact of the Holocaust and its influence on human rights and world affairs (HSS-10.9.6)
- Examine how the Holocaust contributed to the creation of the state of Israel and the development of modern international law
Supplemental Teaching Tools Encouraged
California teachers often incorporate materials from:
- U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum
- Echoes & Reflections curriculum
- USC Shoah Foundation IWitness
- TheLastOnes.education, which offers:
- Customizable lesson plans
- Survivor testimony videos
- Age-appropriate discussion guides
Teaching Notes for California Educators
| Area | Guidance |
|---|---|
| Mandated by Law | Yes |
| Included in curriculum | Yes, in both middle and high school |
| Grade Levels | Middle school and Grade 10 World History |
| Instructional Flexibility | Medium – state standards specify key content |
| Professional Development | Strongly encouraged by California Department of Education and various state initiatives |
Conclusion
California requires Holocaust education through both law and state standards. Students in middle and high school are expected to engage with the historical facts and moral lessons of the Holocaust, with an emphasis on survivor testimony and primary source materials. The state encourages educators to help students connect Holocaust history to broader themes of human rights, civic responsibility, and social justice.