Delaware Holocaust Education Summary
Legal Status
- Mandated by law: Yes
- Required under Delaware HB 318 (2020), codified in Title 14, § 4141
- Each school district and charter serving grades 6–12 must provide instruction on the Holocaust and genocide at least once in each grade
- Curriculum may be delivered through existing courses, district-developed material, or curricula from the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum
How the Holocaust Appears in Delaware’s Standards
Middle & High School (Grades 6–12)
- Instruction is required at least once in each grade from grades 6–12
- Students examine prejudice, racism, and intolerance as a means to promote understanding and civic responsibility
- Curriculum includes analysis of perpetrators, collaborators, bystanders, rescuers, and victims, and explores mechanisms of justice and restorative practices
Supplemental Teaching Tools Encouraged
Educators may enhance instruction with:
- U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum curricula
- Echoes & Reflections materials
- Consultation with the Halina Wind Preston Holocaust Education Committee
- Survivor testimony videos and other primary source resources
Teaching Notes for Delaware Educators
| Area | Guidance |
|---|---|
| Mandated by Law | Yes (HB 318; effective 2021‑22) |
| Included in Curriculum | Yes, grades 6–12 |
| Grade Levels | Middle and high school (grades 6–12) |
| Instructional Flexibility | Medium – districts determine structure and timing |
| Professional Development | Required in-service training as part of implementation |
Conclusion
Delaware law mandates Holocaust and genocide education in public schools for all students in grades 6–12. The curriculum must address historical facts, moral implications, and mechanisms of justice, and be delivered at least once per grade. Resources like those from the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, Echoes & Reflections, and consultation with the Halina Wind Preston Committee are encouraged to support effective teaching.