Virginia Holocaust & Genocide Education Summary
Legal Status
- Mandated by law: Yes
- Under **HB 916 (2020)**, the Virginia Department of Education must establish a **Holocaust & Genocide Education Advisory Committee** [oai_citation:0‡legacylis.virginia.gov](https://legacylis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?201+ful+HB916=&utm_source=chatgpt.com)
- Standards for teaching Holocaust and genocide integrated into the **Standards of Learning (SOL)**, with testing and professional development requirements
How the Holocaust Appears in Virginia’s Standards
- Instruction imbedded in **history and social science SOL (2021–22 revision)** to include Holocaust and genocide content
- Covers how hatred, dehumanization, prejudice, and discrimination escalated into genocide; includes study of Holocaust and other historical injustices
Oversight & Support
- The **Advisory Committee** guides the VDOE on meaningful professional development and age-appropriate instruction
- Virginia students are **tested** on Holocaust and genocide knowledge as part of the SOL assessment
- Educators encouraged to partner with the **Virginia Holocaust Museum** (Richmond) and other local/national organizations for resources and field experiences
Teaching Notes for Virginia Educators
| Area | Guidance |
|---|---|
| Mandated by Law | Yes – HB 916 (2020) adds Holocaust & genocide education to SOL |
| Included in Curriculum | Yes – embedded in revised History & Social Science SOL |
| Student Assessment | Yes – included in SOL testing |
| Professional Development | Advisory Committee issues guidance to VDOE |
| Community Resources | Partnerships with Virginia Holocaust Museum & other institutions |
Conclusion
Virginia law requires Holocaust and genocide education through its Standards of Learning, supported by HB 916 (2020) which created an advisory committee. The updated SOL include content on the causes and consequences of genocide, with student testing and teacher training built in. Schools are encouraged to leverage museum partnerships and field-based learning to enrich instruction.