ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Sixth Legislature, Second Regular Session
AMENDED
Holocaust education; instruction requirements
Purpose
Requires students to be taught about the Holocaust and other genocides for at least three class periods on at least two separate occasions between grades 7 and 12.
Background
The State Board of Education (SBE) must prescribe a minimum course of study and competency requirements for common schools and high schools that incorporate academic standards in reading, writing, mathematics, science and social studies. In adopting the course of study and competency requirements, the SBE must include a requirement that students be taught about the Holocaust and other genocides at least twice between grades 7 and 12 (A.R.S. §§ 15-701 – 15-701.02).
The SBE requires students: 1) in grades 7 and 8 to receive instruction on the Holocaust and other genocides at least once; and 2) in grades 9 through 12 to receive one credit of world history or geography that includes instruction on the Holocaust and other genocides (A.A.C. R7-2-301 and A.A.C. R7-2-302).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Specifies that the SBE must require, in course of study and competency requirements, that students be taught about the Holocaust and other genocides for at least three class periods, or the equivalent, on at least two separate occasions during any of grades 7 through 12.
2. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Amendment Adopted by Committee of the Whole
· Requires students to be taught about the Holocaust and other genocides for at least three class periods, rather than school days, on at least two separate occasions between grades 7 and 12.
House Action Senate Action
ED 2/13/24 DP 8-2-0-0 ED 3/6/24 DP 4-3-0
3rd Read 2/28/24 40-19-0-0-1
Prepared by Senate Research
March 26, 2024
MH/slp