North Carolina Holocaust & Genocide Education Summary
Legal Status
- Mandated by law: Yes
- Required under the **Gizella Abramson Holocaust Education Act (G.S. 115C-81.57)**, passed in 2021 [oai_citation:0‡abc11.com](https://abc11.com/school-curriculum-holocaust-new-state-law-education/11515103/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
- Effective starting the 2023–24 school year, aligning with the federal Never Again Education Act
- North Carolina Department of Public Instruction oversees implementation with guidance from the NC Council on the Holocaust and the NC Center for the Advancement of Teaching
How the Holocaust Appears in North Carolina’s Standards
Grades 6–12 (English, Social Studies, electives)
- State Board reviews and integrates Holocaust and genocide content into standard English and social studies courses in grades 6–12
- Optional elective, “Holocaust & Genocide Studies,” is available for middle and high schools
- Curriculum must define terms such as “antisemitism,” “Holocaust,” and “Holocaust denial/distortion” per federal standards
Implementation & Support
- DPI provides curriculum content and localized boards ensure professional development
- Funding allocated (e.g., $250,000 per year in 2021–22 and 2022–23) to develop the curriculum and train educators
- Implementation commenced in Fall 2023, with resources posted to state and CANVAS platforms
Supplemental Teaching Tools Encouraged
- Curriculum resources curated by DPI, NC Council on the Holocaust, and NCCAT
- Materials from U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum & Echoes & Reflections
- Primary sources: state archives, newspaper articles (1933–46), survivor testimony videos
Teaching Notes for North Carolina Educators
| Area | Guidance |
|---|---|
| Mandated by Law | Yes – G.S. 115C‑81.57 (2021), effective 2023–24 |
| Included in Curriculum | Yes – Grades 6–12 via English, Social Studies, and elective |
| Instructional Elective | “Holocaust & Genocide Studies” available in middle/high school |
| State Oversight | DPI with NC Council & NCCAT collaboration |
| Professional Development | State-funded training, local board implementation |
Conclusion
North Carolina’s Gizella Abramson Holocaust Education Act mandates integrated Holocaust and genocide instruction for students in grades 6–12, effective from the 2023–24 school year. The law ensures content is woven into required courses, complemented by an elective, supported by clear federal definitions, funded curriculum development, and statewide professional training. Resources include archival materials, survivor testimony, and nationally recognized curricula.