Evers signs Holocaust, genocide education bill

MILWAUKEE, Wis. (WKBT) — Wisconsin students will be required to learn about the Holocaust and other genocides in social studies class after Evers signed Wisconsin Act 30 into law Wednesday.

“This bill will affect generations of kids in our state and bring increased awareness, and recognition in our schools to the tragedies of the Holocaust, the pervasiveness of anti-Semitism to this day, and hopefully cultivate a generation that is more compassionate, more empathetic, and more inclusive,” said Evers. “States across our country require or encourage education about the Holocaust for students, I am glad that today, Wisconsin will be joining them.”

The new law requires the state Department of Public Instruction to incorporate the genocides into the model academic standards for social studies and develop model curriculum dedicated to Holocaust remembrance, education, and the preservation of the memory of victims. The law also calls on DPI to provide free Holocaust education programs to schools and training and tools to educators.

It also  requires school districts, independent charter schools and private schools participating in a choice program to provide instruction on the Holocaust and other genocides at least once in grades five through eight, and again at least once in grades nine through twelve.

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