Wisconsin Holocaust & Genocide Education Summary
Legal Status
- Mandated by law: Yes
- Established under **Wisconsin Act 30 (2021)**, requiring a Holocaust and genocide unit at least once in grades 5–8 and again in grades 9–12 [oai_citation:0‡dpi.wi.gov](https://dpi.wi.gov/social-studies/act-30-2021?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
- Stores **Holocaust Days of Remembrance (SJR 27, 2025)** to support educational recognition
How the Holocaust Appears in Wisconsin’s Standards
- Each district must teach Holocaust and genocide topics at least once in both middle and high school
- State Superintendent provides model lessons and materials via DPI and partners
Implementation & Support
- The **Nathan and Esther Pelz Holocaust Education Resource Center (HERC)** is funded to support implementation, reaching ~80% of districts; received $400K from the state in 2024
- HERC provides educator workshops, lesson plans, Holocaust kits, survivor-speaker visits, and resource “trunks” for schools
Supplemental Teaching Tools Encouraged
- National curricula (Echoes & Reflections, U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum)
- Survivor testimony, primary source documents, multimedia materials
Teaching Notes for Wisconsin Educators
| Area | Guidance |
|---|---|
| Mandated by Law | Yes – Act 30 (2021); Holocaust Remembrance recognition via SJR 27 (2025) |
| Included in Curriculum | Yes – at least one unit in grades 5–8 and 9–12 |
| Implementation Support | DPI materials, Pelz-HERC funding, statewide professional development |
| District Reach | ~80% of districts reached by HERC; ongoing expansion |
| Resources | Lesson plans, kits, speaker visits, testimony, primary sources |
Conclusion
Wisconsin mandates Holocaust and genocide education for students in both middle and high school, backed by state law (Act 30) and annual recognition (SJR 27). The Pelz Holocaust Education Resource Center—bolstered by state funding—supports implementation through workshops, materials, and classroom tools, reaching the majority of districts. Educators are encouraged to enrich lessons with survivor testimony, national curricula, and primary documents.