Horne: Hundreds of districts and charters fail to report on Holocaust instruction

For immediate release: March 4, 2024
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Horne: Hundreds of districts and charters fail to report on Holocaust instruction

Calls for support of legislation to strengthen the requirements

PHOENIX – State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne reports that 322 of the approximately 750 Arizona districts and charter schools – about 43 percent – have affirmed that they are teaching about the Holocaust and other genocides as required by state law. He is advocating for the passage of legislation that would bolster that requirement.

Horne said, “Current state law requires teaching about the Holocaust and other genocides, but it does not specify how much time is spent. We surveyed districts and charters to find out if they are following the law, but more than half did not respond. This shows the need for HB 2779, a bipartisan bill sponsored by Republican Rep. David Marshall and Democrat Rep, Alma Hernandez to be passed and signed into law. This bill would require that students in grades 7-12 will have to twice complete a three-day program on the Holocaust and other genocides.”

He added, “After the horrific events of October 7, there was a one-sided pro-Hamas presentation at Desert Mountain High School that produced antisemitism among students and made Jewish students uncomfortable and fearful. If Holocaust studies are presented properly, students will be less gullible to antisemitic presentations. I am gratified that 322 districts and charters are following the law, with many of them taking anywhere from two to four weeks to do the instruction. That is commendable, but we need this bill to be sure all districts and charters are in compliance with the intent of the law.”

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