Georgia Holocaust Education Summary
Legal Status
- Mandated by law: Yes
- Georgia has a formal legislative mandate establishing Holocaust education as a statewide priority under Georgia Code § 50‑12‑130 and § 50‑12‑132
- The Georgia Commission on the Holocaust was created to promote and support Holocaust and genocide education in K–12 schools [oai_citation:0‡law.justia.com](https://law.justia.com/codes/georgia/title-50/chapter-12/article-8/section-50-12-130/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
How the Holocaust Appears in Georgia’s Standards
Middle School (Grades 7–8)
- Grade 7 (World Geography/History): Explain how the Holocaust influenced the founding of Israel (Standard SS7H2)
- Grade 8 (U.S. History): Describe the impact of the Holocaust on Georgians and the broader national context (Standard SS8H9c)
High School (Grades 9–12)
- World History (SSWH19b): Identify and analyze Nazi ideology and policies that led to the Holocaust and its consequences
- U.S. History (SSUSH19c): Examine domestic and international responses to World War II, including the Holocaust in the European Theater
Supplemental Teaching Tools Encouraged
Georgia educators are supported with:
- Curriculum guidelines and lesson plans from the Georgia Commission on the Holocaust
- Echoes & Reflections curriculum for structured classroom modules
- U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum resources
- Survivor testimony videos and primary source documents
Teaching Notes for Georgia Educators
| Area | Guidance |
|---|---|
| Mandated by Law | Yes (Georgia Code § 50‑12‑130 & § 50‑12‑132) |
| Included in Curriculum | Yes, in middle and high school standards |
| Grade Levels | Grades 7–12 (middle and high school) |
| Instructional Flexibility | Medium – state sets standards; districts choose implementation |
| Professional Development | Commission provides training and resources for teachers |
Conclusion
Georgia law mandates Holocaust education across grades 7–12. Standards require students to examine Nazi ideology, the Holocaust’s impact on both Georgians and the world, and U.S. responses during World War II. The Georgia Commission on the Holocaust provides ongoing curricular guidance and professional development. Educators are encouraged to use structured materials—such as Echoes & Reflections—and survivor testimony to support thoughtful and effective instruction.