North Dakota Holocaust Education Summary
Legal Status
- Mandated by law: Pending (House Bill 1527 introduced in January 2025)
- Recommends adding grade-level Holocaust education within the U.S. history curriculum (Chapter 15.1‑21 NDCC)
- Defines “Holocaust,” “antisemitism,” and “Nazi” by law and requires instruction on causes, events, resistance, aftermath, and U.S. involvement
- Superintendent must report annually on district compliance beginning July 1 each year
How the Holocaust Appears in North Dakota’s Standards
Middle & High School (Grades 7–12)
- Instruction must address:
- Causes and outcomes of the Holocaust
- History of antisemitism, concentration camps, resistance, and postwar trials
- Role of individual responsibility and U.S. involvement
- Connections between intolerance and mass violence
Supplemental Teaching Tools Encouraged
Educators may enrich lessons with:
- Primary sources, testimony, and historical documents
- Regional materials such as “The Mission of Herman Stern” documentary
- National curricula from Echoes & Reflections and the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum
Teaching Notes for North Dakota Educators
| Area | Guidance |
|---|---|
| Mandated by Law | No (HB 1527 pending) |
| Included in Curriculum | Pending adoption—if passed, it will be required within U.S. history for Grades 7–12 |
| Instructional Scope | Comprehensive content covering history, causes, personal responsibility, U.S. efforts |
| Reporting | Annual compliance report by Superintendent to Legislature and Governor |
| Professional Development | Not specified, but districts are encouraged to use standardized resources |
Conclusion
North Dakota lawmakers have introduced HB 1527, which would require all school districts to provide age-appropriate Holocaust education in Grades 7–12. Although the bill passed the House in February 2025, it failed in the Senate as of April and remains under consideration. If enacted, it would mandate comprehensive coverage of Holocaust content—including causes, events, human responsibility, and U.S. roles—and establish an annual compliance reporting system. Educators can enhance lessons using local and national resources to support meaningful student engagement.