West Virginia Holocaust & Genocide Education Summary
Legal Status
- Mandated by law: Not yet—but pending
- Senate passed **SB 216** in Feb 2023 to require Holocaust and genocide instruction; House consideration followed. Still under review
- In March 2025, Senate Education Committee approved **SB 54**, which would require age‑appropriate instruction starting in Grade 6
- The ongoing debate includes whether to explicitly address prejudice, racism, stereotyping, and diversity within the curriculum
How the Holocaust Appears in WV Standards
- Currently, no binding requirement—but social studies standards encourage historical analysis skills, historical empathy, and civil rights content
- If enacted, instruction would start in Grade 6, covering causes, events, aftermath, human responsibility, and civic awareness
Supplemental Teaching Tools Encouraged
- Primary sources and survivor testimony via national organizations
- National curricula like Echoes & Reflections and U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum resources
- Professional development and curricular guidance through WVDE and its Holocaust Commission
Teaching Notes for West Virginia Educators
| Area | Guidance |
|---|---|
| Mandated by Law | No current mandate; **SB 216 (2023)** & **SB 54 (2025)** are pending |
| Included in Curriculum | Currently optional; learning standards include historical analysis and civil rights content |
| Proposed Instruction | Grade 6+ age‑appropriate Holocaust and genocide lessons |
| Debated Emphases | Prejudice, diversity, stereotyping—legislative phrasing is contested |
| Support Resources | WVDE guidelines, Holocaust Commission support, national curricula |
Conclusion
West Virginia does not yet require Holocaust or genocide education, but the topic is advancing through legislation. SB 216 first passed in 2023, and a strengthened version, SB 54, passed the Senate Education Committee in March 2025. The legislation indicates Grade 6 as the starting point and includes historical context, moral inquiry, and civic lessons—though language around prejudice and diversity remains debated. If enacted, schools would incorporate age‑appropriate lessons using national curricula and state-level guidance. Educators meanwhile can continue using Be the Last Ones‑supported resources, survivor testimony, and curriculum from the Holocaust Commission and Echoes & Reflections to offer meaningful content.