Maine State Standards

  • 0

Maine Holocaust Education Summary

Legal Status

  • Mandated by law: Yes
  • Required under Maine’s genocide education law, LD 1644 (2021) and codified in 20‑A M.R.S.A. § 4706 [oai_citation:0‡legislature.maine.gov](https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/bills_129th/billtexts/SP031002.asp?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
  • Mandates instruction in the history of genocide, including the Holocaust, in all public schools aligned with graduation standards

How the Holocaust Appears in Maine’s Standards

Elementary Through High School (Grades K–12)

  • Genocide history—including the Holocaust—must be incorporated into social studies and history instruction at all grade levels
  • Content must align with required standards for American history, Maine studies, and genocide, including defining “Holocaust” under 1933–1945 Nazi policies

Supplemental Teaching Tools Encouraged

Maine educators are encouraged to use:

  • Curriculum materials from the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum
  • Echoes & Reflections resources
  • Survivor testimony videos and primary source documents

Teaching Notes for Maine Educators

AreaGuidance
Mandated by LawYes – LD 1644 (2021); codified in 20‑A § 4706
Included in CurriculumYes, in K–12 social studies and history
Grade LevelsAll grades, with age-appropriate depth
Instructional FlexibilityMedium – integrated by grade level and course
Professional DevelopmentSupported via district-level training and national partners

Conclusion

Maine law requires comprehensive genocide education—including the Holocaust—across all public school grades. The instruction is aligned with academic standards for U.S. history, Maine history, and genocide education. Educators are encouraged to leverage national curriculum materials and survivor testimony to help students connect historical knowledge with moral and civic reflection.

Select a State below, to check the Holocaust educational standards:

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.