New York Holocaust & Genocide Education Summary
Legal Status
- Mandated by law: Yes
- Required under **Education Law § 801** since 1994 and strengthened by **Chapter 490 of the Laws of 2022**
- **S.8673 (2023)** directs the Board of Regents to provide age‑appropriate materials and pacing guides for Holocaust and genocide instruction
How the Holocaust Appears in New York’s Standards
Middle & High School (Grades 8–12)
- Required K–12 instruction in “patriotism, citizenship, and human rights,” with **particular attention to genocide and the Holocaust**, beginning at age 8
- The State’s Social Studies Framework explicitly references Holocaust instruction in **grades 8, 10, and 11**, covering WWII atrocities, Nuremberg Trials, UN human-rights system
- Post‑2022 law mandates district-level surveys and corrective plans to ensure compliance
Supplemental Teaching Tools Encouraged
- Board of Regents–developed pacing guides and supporting materials
- Curricula from the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum & Echoes & Reflections
- Survivor testimony videos and primary source documents
Teaching Notes for New York Educators
| Area | Guidance |
|---|---|
| Mandated by Law | Yes – Education Law § 801; Chapter 490 (2022) |
| Included in Curriculum | Yes – grades 8–12 (Framework references) |
| Instructional Requirements | Patriotism, citizenship, human rights, emphasis on Holocaust/genocide |
| Materials & Support | Board‑provided pacing guides; SED surveys on compliance |
| Monitoring & Oversight | District attestations, corrective plans where needed |
Conclusion
New York state law requires Holocaust and genocide education across grades 8–12, embedded within broader human-rights and civic curricula. The Board of Regents and State Education Department provide materials, pacing guides, and compliance oversight through regular district surveys. This ensures students learn not only historical facts but also develop moral understanding rooted in survivor testimony, global justice frameworks, and personal responsibility.