Press Release
For Immediate Release
April 14, 2022
Contact
Kim Houghton, Communications Administrator
(603) 513-3030 | kimberly.c.houghton@doe.nh.gov
Statement from the board LINK
“As the month of April is recognized as Holocaust and Genocide Awareness Month, the State Board of Education announces the approval of new Holocaust and Genocide education rules for the State of New Hampshire. Clearly understanding how the Holocaust and other genocides occurred may be key to preventing similar violence in the future, which is why education on this sensitive topic is vitally important to promote peace among future generations. We take this moment to reflect on the millions of Jews and others whose lives were cut short through unimaginable pain, and remember how that hatred can still result in brutal consequences. Learning from this tragedy and remaining watchful is a step toward peace.”
NH Board of Education April 14, 2022
Adopt Ed 306.49 to read as follows:
Ed 306.49 Holocaust and Genocide Education Program.
(a) Pursuant to Ed 306.26, the local school board shall require that a Holocaust and genocide education program in each school grade, to begin no later than 8th grade provides:
(1) Integrated, developmentally appropriate instruction in Holocaust and genocide education as described in RSA 193-E:3-a, II-a. through II-c. including:
a. An understanding of the terms “genocide” and “Holocaust”, as defined by RSA 193E:3-a, II-a. and II-b.;
b. An understanding of:
The difference between events that constitute genocide and other types of mass atrocities including, but 1. not limited to, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and ethnic cleansing;
2. Genocides recognized by the determinations of lawfully constituted courts including, but not limited to, the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), and the International Court of Justice (ICJ);
3. Instances of mass atrocities where application of the term genocide is contested including, but not limited to, Dekulakization, the Ukrainian terrorfamine, the Great Terror, Khmer Rouge atrocities other than those directed at Cham Muslims and the ethnic Vietnamese minority, and the Native American experience during colonization;
4. Ongoing events that may constitute crimes against humanity, war crimes, ethnic cleansing, or genocide; and
5. Instances where the US government has made public statements that genocide has occurred, including, but not limited to, Armenia, Bosnia, Rwanda, Iraq, Darfur, ISIS-controlled areas, and Uighurs;.
c. Historical facts about the causes and events of the Holocaust and other genocides; and
d. How and why political repression, intolerance, bigotry, antisemitism, and national, ethnic, racial, or religious hatred and discrimination have, in the past, evolved into genocide and mass violence;
(2) Opportunities for students to develop a knowledge and understanding of the impact of political repression, intolerance, and bigotry through developmentally appropriate activities that include concrete experiences and interactions with, but not limited to, primary documents, witness testimony, historical documents, and mixed media; and
(3) Instruction and activities designed to enable students to:
a. Analyze and understand that democratic institutions and values are not automatically sustained, but need active civic responsibility and engagement;
b. Identify and evaluate how political repression, intolerance, bigotry, antisemitism, and national, ethnic, racial, or religious hatred and discrimination can evolve into genocide and mass violence, such as the Holocaust, and how to prevent the evolution of such practices; and
c. Identify and evaluate the power of individual choices in preventing political repression, intolerance, bigotry, antisemitism, and national, ethnic, racial, or religious hatred.
(b) Each district shall incorporate instruction in Holocaust and genocide education into at least one existing social studies, world history, global studies, or US history course required as a condition of high school graduation for all students.