Nevada Holocaust Education Summary
Legal Status
- Mandated by law: Yes
- Required under NRS 388.887 (2024), which directs the State Board to develop curriculum on the Holocaust and other genocides [oai_citation:0‡law.justia.com](https://law.justia.com/codes/nevada/chapter-388/statute-388-887/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
- Establishes a subcommittee composed of the State Superintendent, educational leaders, and community partners to review and make recommendations
How the Holocaust Appears in Nevada’s Standards
Middle & High School (Grades 6–12)
- Curriculum must provide age-appropriate, historically accurate instruction on Holocaust and other genocides (Armenian, Cambodian, Darfur, etc.)
- Required content includes: Nazi ideology, persecution of Jews and others, resistance, concentration camps, post-war trials, and development of genocide definitions
- Instruction must foster respect for diversity, civic engagement, and critical reflection on prejudice and moral responsibility
- Educators must use diverse materials—video testimony, letters, maps, documents—to help students understand genocide mechanisms and justice systems
Supplemental Teaching Tools Encouraged
- Curriculum resources from the State Board’s Holocaust subcommittee
- Materials from the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum
- Echoes & Reflections curriculum
- Primary sources and survivor testimony videos
Teaching Notes for Nevada Educators
| Area | Guidance |
|---|---|
| Mandated by Law | Yes – NRS 388.887 (2024) |
| Included in Curriculum | Yes – Grades 6–12, Holocaust & genocide standards defined |
| Instructional Flexibility | Medium – State subcommittee sets standards; districts adapt |
| Professional Development | Subcommittee to recommend and support teacher training |
| Reporting & Oversight | State Board subcommittee reports to legislature biennially |
Conclusion
Nevada law now requires age-appropriate, historically accurate Holocaust and genocide education for students in grades 6–12. Standards include detailed content ranging from Nazi policy to resistance, trials, and civic lessons. A designated subcommittee is tasked with developing curriculum guidance and resources, while reporting progress to the legislature every two years. Teachers are encouraged to use diverse sources like testimony videos, documents, and structured curricula to foster critical understanding.