Holocaust and Genocide Education in California: A Study of Statewide Context and Local Implementation
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| Title: | Holocaust and Genocide Education in California: A Study of Statewide Context and Local Implementation |
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| Language: | English |
| Authors: | WestEd |
| Source: | WestEd. 2024. |
| Availability: | WestEd. 730 Harrison Street, San Francisco, CA 94107-1242. Tel: 877-493-7833; Tel: 415-565-3000; Fax: 415-565-3012; Web site: http://www.wested.org |
| Peer Reviewed: | N |
| Page Count: | 207 |
| Publication Date: | 2024 |
| Intended Audience: | Policymakers; Teachers |
| Document Type: | Reports - Research Tests/Questionnaires |
| Descriptors: | Controversial Issues (Course Content), Death, Homicide, Racism, Social Bias, Empathy, Intervention, Program Effectiveness, Government Role, Social Justice, Consciousness Raising, School Districts, American Indian History, Knowledge Level, Barriers, Minority Groups |
| Geographic Terms: | California |
| Abstract: | In 2021, Governor Gavin Newsom established the Governor's Council on Holocaust and Genocide Education (the Council) to assess and improve education about the Holocaust and other genocides (Holocaust and genocide education) in California schools. In response to declining youth awareness of these issues and events and to rising hate incidents, the Council was tasked with equipping California educators and students with tools to recognize and address antisemitism, racism, bigotry, and other forms of hate through education and empathy. To support this mission, the Council commissioned a comprehensive statewide study to examine the current landscape of Holocaust and genocide education implementation across local education agencies (LEAs). The findings show that while some districts have developed robust programs, the overall landscape remains fragmented, with success often dependent on individual educator initiative. LEA representatives emphasized the need for state-level support--ultimately pointing to the necessity of a systematic, state-supported approach to ensure the kind of equitable, high-quality Holocaust and genocide education statewide that the Council envisions. This report presents the study's findings and offers recommendations to strengthen these critical educational efforts. The survey findings are illustrative but not representative of all California LEAs and COEs. While all California LEAs and COEs were contacted multiple times to encourage survey participation, neither survey had a 100 percent response rate. The recommendations constitute strategic actions that California can take to improve education about the Holocaust and other genocides. These actions represent a new, systemic approach to improving this area of education in support of California's efforts to address antisemitism, racism, bigotry, and other forms of hate. [Prepared for the State of California, Governor's Council on Holocaust and Genocide Education.] |
| Abstractor: | ERIC |
| Entry Date: | 2025 |
| Accession Number: | ED673578 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | In 2021, Governor Gavin Newsom established the Governor's Council on Holocaust and Genocide Education (the Council) to assess and improve education about the Holocaust and other genocides (Holocaust and genocide education) in California schools. In response to declining youth awareness of these issues and events and to rising hate incidents, the Council was tasked with equipping California educators and students with tools to recognize and address antisemitism, racism, bigotry, and other forms of hate through education and empathy. To support this mission, the Council commissioned a comprehensive statewide study to examine the current landscape of Holocaust and genocide education implementation across local education agencies (LEAs). The findings show that while some districts have developed robust programs, the overall landscape remains fragmented, with success often dependent on individual educator initiative. LEA representatives emphasized the need for state-level support--ultimately pointing to the necessity of a systematic, state-supported approach to ensure the kind of equitable, high-quality Holocaust and genocide education statewide that the Council envisions. This report presents the study's findings and offers recommendations to strengthen these critical educational efforts. The survey findings are illustrative but not representative of all California LEAs and COEs. While all California LEAs and COEs were contacted multiple times to encourage survey participation, neither survey had a 100 percent response rate. The recommendations constitute strategic actions that California can take to improve education about the Holocaust and other genocides. These actions represent a new, systemic approach to improving this area of education in support of California's efforts to address antisemitism, racism, bigotry, and other forms of hate. [Prepared for the State of California, Governor's Council on Holocaust and Genocide Education.] |
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