Oklahoma Holocaust & Genocide Education Summary
Legal Status
- Mandated by law: Yes
- Required under **SB 1671 / HB 3720 (2022)**
- Enacted into law May 16, 2022; **70 O.S. § 11‑103.6o** requires instruction beginning in the 2022–23 school year [oai_citation:0‡oksenate.gov](https://oksenate.gov/press-releases/oklahoma-students-learn-about-holocaust-under-approved-senate-bill?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
How the Holocaust Appears in Oklahoma’s Standards
- Instruction required for students in **grades 6–12** beginning in 2022–23
- Holocaust content can be integrated into existing social studies, ELA, or arts classes
- Curriculum must:
- Explain causes, course, and effects of the Holocaust
- Facilitate discussion around bullying, stereotyping, and discrimination
- Promote tolerance, respect for diversity, and human dignity
- State Department of Education must develop curriculum resources and offer professional development for teachers
Supplemental Teaching Tools Encouraged
- Curriculum frameworks and teacher resources provided by OSDE
- Professional development programs such as the Belfer Conference and Eva K. Unterman workshops
- Materials from the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum and Echoes & Reflections curriculum
- Survivor testimony videos, primary documents, and local museum partnerships (e.g., Sherwin Miller Museum)
Teaching Notes for Oklahoma Educators
| Area | Guidance |
|---|---|
| Mandated by Law | Yes – SB 1671/HB 3720 (2022); effective 2022–23 |
| Included in Curriculum | Yes – grades 6–12 |
| Instructional Integration | May be taught via social studies, ELA, or visual arts |
| Instructional Focus | History, discrimination, civic values, tolerance |
| Professional Development | OSDE-provided training (e.g., Belfer, state workshops) |
Conclusion
Oklahoma law requires Holocaust education for all students in grades 6–12, beginning with the 2022–23 school year. The curriculum integrates history, moral inquiry, and civic responsibility, and is supported by state–developed materials and teacher training. Educators are encouraged to enrich instruction with testimony, artifacts, and professional resources, such as those from the Sherwin Miller Museum and national curricula.