By David Bocarsly
JPAC
SACRAMENTO, California — Governor Gavin Newsom recently announced results of a major study on the state of Holocaust and genocide education in California.
This is the first output of the Governor’s Council on Holocaust and Genocide Education. Holocaust and genocide education was mandated by the state in 1985, but there have been questions and concerns about its implementation for many years. JPAC worked with Senator Henry Stern and Governor Newsom to create this important Council in 2021, and it was tasked with assessing and improving education about the Holocaust and other genocides in California schools.
The results of the study are telling, even if unsurprising:
–Only 26% of California schools currently have formal Holocaust and genocide education programs in place—74% do not.
–Of these with programs, 72% indicated that their programs are required, while others were optional.
–At the same time, the study demonstrates the enthusiasm that California educators have for expanding this critical education that works to counter hatred and bigotry. Drawing from these findings, the study makes ten recommendations to strengthen Holocaust and genocide education, which we will work on implementing in the years to come:
◌ Communicate California’s Vision for Holocaust and Genocide Education
◌ Revise the California History–Social Science Content Standards
◌ Revise the History–Social Science Framework for California Public Schools
◌ Update, Distribute, and Provide Guidance for the Model Curriculum for Human Rights and Genocide
◌ Continue to Create a Vetted Central Clearinghouse for Curriculum, Instruction, Assessment, and
Professional Learning
◌ Increase Direct Funding to Districts and Schools for Holocaust and Genocide Education
◌ Expand Existing Statewide Professional Learning on Holocaust and Genocide Education
◌ Monitor and Evaluate Educational Outcomes
◌ Continue to Conduct Additional Research to Inform the Council’s Future Actions
◌ Expand, Publicize, and Strengthen the Role of the Governor’s Council on Holocaust and Genocide Educatio
After creating the Council via executive action in 2021, Governor Newsom appointed leading experts, legislators, and state leaders to oversee this new state initiative. JPAC Board Member and JFCS Executive Director Dr. Anita Friedman serves as one of the Council’s co-chairs, alongside Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, Attorney General Rob Bonta, and Senator Henry Stern – who championed the bill that led to the Council’s creation.
Other members of the Council include JPAC Coalition Members Beth Kean, CEO of the Holocaust Museum LA, and Seth Brysk, Regional Director of AJC Northern California. They join several of our community partners and friends in the Legislative Jewish Caucus, including Co-Chair Senator Scott Wiener.
JPAC applauds our partners and friends on years of hard work to produce this important guidepost. We know it will shape the state’s efforts to teach the lessons of our past and build a more empathetic generation of leaders.
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David Bocarsly is the executive director of the Jewish Public Affairs Committee of California