Louisiana Holocaust Education Summary
Legal Status
- Mandated by law: Yes
- Required under Louisiana HB 16 (2022), now codified at R.S. 17:280.1 and R.S. 17:3996(B)(67) [oai_citation:0‡legis.la.gov](https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/ViewDocument.aspx?d=1244139&utm_source=chatgpt.com)
- Mandates age‑appropriate instruction on World War II and the Holocaust for students in grades 9–12, incorporated into existing courses (e.g., American History)
- Requires in‑service training or professional development for teachers responsible for delivering this instruction
Scope & Content Requirements
- Instruction must include:
- History of World War II and the Holocaust, covering Nazi Germany, concentration camps, antisemitism, persecution of Jews and others, resistance, and the Nuremberg Trials
- The impact of personal responsibility and civic engagement during WWII and the Holocaust
- The connection between intolerance (national, ethnic, racial, religious) and genocide
- The role of U.S. Armed Forces—including African American and Asian American service members—in defeating Nazi Germany and liberating camps
- The internment of Japanese Americans during WWII in the U.S.
- Mandates that schools make free curriculum materials available, such as those from the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, Echoes & Reflections, Yad Vashem, and USC Shoah Foundation
Supplemental Teaching Tools Encouraged
Educators are encouraged to use:
- Curricula from the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, Yad Vashem, Echoes & Reflections, USC Shoah Foundation
- Free curriculum materials provided by the Louisiana Department of Education or partner organizations
- Survivor testimony, primary documents, and structured reflection on personal responsibility and prejudice
Teaching Notes for Louisiana Educators
| Area | Guidance |
|---|---|
| Mandated by Law | Yes – HB 16 (2022), effective school year 2022‑23 |
| Included in Curriculum | Yes, grades 9–12, within existing social studies courses |
| Grade Levels | High school (grades 9–12) |
| Instructional Flexibility | Medium – courses determined by districts, but content specified |
| Professional Development | Required teacher training on Holocaust & WWII instruction |
Conclusion
Louisiana law mandates Holocaust and WWII instruction for all high school students in grades 9–12. The standards require structured units incorporating history, moral inquiry, and civic engagement, supported by free curriculum materials. Teacher training is required to ensure effective delivery.