Missouri Holocaust Education Summary
Legal Status
- Mandated by law: Yes
- Enacted as the **Holocaust Education and Awareness Commission Act** (RSMo § 161.700) on June 30, 2022 [oai_citation:0‡revisor.mo.gov](https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=161.700&utm_source=chatgpt.com)
- Established a permanent Holocaust Education Commission and designated the second week in April as “Holocaust Education Week”
- Requires age-appropriate Holocaust instruction for students in 6th grade and above
How the Holocaust Appears in Missouri’s Standards
Middle & High School (Grades 6–12)
- Instruction must include historical context—how and why the Holocaust happened
- Students must participate in learning projects (e.g., virtual or in-person) about the Holocaust
- Schools must use materials from the Missouri Commission, U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, or St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum
- Department of Elementary & Secondary Education will pilot a curriculum framework in 2023–24 and expand statewide by 2025–26
- Each district must provide professional development plans for teachers delivering Holocaust instruction
Supplemental Teaching Tools Encouraged
- Curriculum resources and support from the Missouri Holocaust Education & Awareness Commission
- Materials from the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum
- Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum educational tools and exhibits
- Survivor testimony videos and primary source documents
Teaching Notes for Missouri Educators
| Area | Guidance |
|---|---|
| Mandated by Law | Yes – RSMo § 161.700, effective June 2022 |
| Included in Curriculum | Yes – Grades 6–12, integrated during Holocaust Education Week |
| Grade Levels | Middle school and high school (Grades 6–12) |
| Implementation Phase | Pilot in 2023–24, full rollout by 2025–26 |
| Professional Development | Required by districts; Commission & DESE provide structure |
Conclusion
Missouri mandates Holocaust education for students in grades 6–12 through the 2022 law establishing the Holocaust Education & Awareness Commission. Districts must teach historical context, facilitate learning projects, and use approved resources during designated Holocaust Education Week. A statewide curriculum framework will launch after a pilot phase, and districts must provide teacher development to ensure effective instruction.