Holocaust and Genocide Education Study in California

Project Background

On October 6, 2021, Governor Gavin Newsom launched the Governor’s Council on Holocaust and Genocide Education of the State of California, with additional council members added in October 2022. The Council is co-chaired by State Senator Henry Stern; Attorney General Rob Bonta; State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond; and Dr. Anita Friedman, Jewish Family and Children’s Services Northern California-Holocaust Center. The Council is charged with elevating awareness of Holocaust and genocide education and promoting its implementation throughout the State of California. On an ongoing basis, the Council shall survey the status of Holocaust and genocide education; encourage and promote the implementation of Holocaust and genocide education; make recommendations to the State Department of Education, Legislature, and other entities to advocate for Holocaust and genocide education; convene meetings and conferences and provide support of such educational efforts as resources allow; and sponsor memorialization of the Holocaust and genocides as appropriate in cooperation with other groups involved in these remembrance efforts.

California is taking action with major investments to support anti-hate programs and enlisting the expertise of demonstrated leaders in Holocaust and genocide education to inoculate young people against the dangerous messages of hate and division pervading our public discourse.

Project Purpose

Improved Holocaust and genocide curricula will benefit all Californians by increasing the knowledge and awareness of perpetuated atrocities. The purpose of such Holocaust and genocide education is to help develop a morally courageous next generation and a unified, socially responsible society by fostering an environment of compassion, empathy, understanding, and advocacy that will help decrease antisemitism, hatred, and discrimination. In California schools, Holocaust and genocide education will be taught across the curriculum with content incorporated in ways that are interdisciplinary and age appropriate.

The Council is partnering with WestEd to conduct a study of local education agencies (LEAs) in California. The Holocaust and Genocide Education Study in California is the first step in obtaining information to determine the quality, consistency, and effectiveness of existing Holocaust and genocide education activities throughout California public schools. Obtaining this information will allow the Council to properly assess current resources and supports and recommend more that can help school districts improve Holocaust and genocide curricula and awareness among school-aged children.

Now is the moment we must take an honest look at whether our public schools are helping the next generation understand what happens when politicians use economic crises, ethnic and identity-based hatred, and clever coordinated mass communication to achieve monstrous results.

LEA Survey

Every LEA in California is asked to complete a survey to gather critical information from the field about Holocaust and genocide education. The Council is eager to hear from every LEA in the state and highly values the input of California’s LEA leaders and staff, regardless of their current approach to Holocaust and genocide education. Read the survey overview to learn more. Access to individual survey responses will be limited to the WestEd research team and will not be publicly reported.

Select schools and individuals will be invited to participate in interviews and focus groups to provide additional context and insight into the current state of Holocaust and genocide education in California.

Research activities include a review of important research; an analysis of policies across states; and direct research with districts including a survey, focus groups, interviews, and case studies.

We know that comprehensive Holocaust education implemented at all schools is an essential part of our effort to combat antisemitism and all forms of hate. The work of this council, along with the California Department of Education’s anti-bias education training and Education to End Hate initiative, gives me hope that through education we can work in solidarity towards a better future for California students.

Each LEA administrator can help support the Council’s mission to promote education that can decrease hate, discrimination, and antisemitism in California by doing the following:

• check their email inbox for a link to the online survey from WestEd
• help ensure that the correct individual from their LEA has access to the survey link (details will be included in the email)
• identify colleagues who can provide information about the status of Holocaust and genocide education within their LEA
• make use of the tools included with the survey to aid in its completion
• submit their completed survey by the due date

Survey results will be used in part to identify additional supports and resources for California LEAs and educators to bolster Holocaust and genocide education and promote respect and empathy in our schools and among students.

Learn More

For more information read these Frequently Asked Questions. Still have questions? Send an email to [email protected]