Ohio State Standards

  • 0

Ohio Holocaust & Genocide Education Summary

Legal Status

  • Mandated by law: Yes
  • Ohio Revised Code § 197.08 (enacted Dec 2020) establishes the **Holocaust & Genocide Memorial and Education Commission**, tasked with promoting Holocaust education statewide
  • The Commission (15 members) disseminates resources; gathers state educational information; recommends programming; and administers grants for teachers and schools

How the Holocaust Appears in Ohio’s Standards

  • The Ohio Department of Education includes Holocaust and genocide instruction examples in its Learning Standards for grades 5–12
  • Commission grants support classroom implementation, field trips, survivor testimony, and educational programs through institutions like the Holocaust & Humanity Center

Supplemental Teaching Tools Encouraged

  • Commission-funded grants for professional development and classroom resources
  • Materials from the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum and Echoes & Reflections curriculum
  • Primary sources, survivor testimony videos, and local museum partnerships (e.g., Maltz Museum)

Teaching Notes for Ohio Educators

AreaGuidance
Mandated by LawYes – R.C. § 197.08 and related sections, effective Dec 2020
Oversight BodyHolocaust & Genocide Memorial and Education Commission (15 members)
Included in CurriculumYes – per Ohio Learning Standards (grades 5–12)
Grants & SupportYes – Commission provides funding for teacher and school programming
Professional DevelopmentCommission-sponsored opportunities and statewide partnerships

Conclusion

Ohio law mandates Holocaust and genocide education through the creation of a dedicated Commission that both promotes resources and funds educational programs. While not specifying exact hours of instruction, the state’s Learning Standards include Holocaust-related content in grades 5–12, supported by Commission grants, field trip funding, and partnerships with local organizations and museums to foster comprehensive and locally adapted Holocaust education.

Select a State below, to check the Holocaust educational standards:

Leslie Benitah is a journalist, filmmaker, and third-generation Holocaust survivor dedicated to preserving memory and com- bating historical denial through storytelling. Holding a PhD in Journalism from the Sorbonne, she began her career as a journalist, later becoming editor-in-chief, and eventually serving as Executive Producer for TF1, France’s leading network, where she helped shape primetime content for millions of viewers.

After moving to Miami in 2006, she ran a major French- language publication before returning to film, directing critically acclaimed documentaries and collaborating with top production companies for over 20 years.

Driven by activism and education, Leslie co-founded The Last Ones—a groundbreaking documentary series that has amassed millions of views across social media and is used as an official educational tool in schools worldwide. Featuring over 150 survivor testimonies filmed across multiple continents, The Last Ones bridges past and present, ensuring younger generations remain engaged with Holocaust history. Leslie frequently speaks in schools, advocating for education as the most powerful tool against misinformation and hate.