Thursday, October 29, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
State Board of Education adds Holocaust instruction to required courses of study
(Phoenix, State Capitol) ---- The Arizona State Board of Education has approved the mandatory instruction of the Holocaust and other genocides at Arizona public schools in response to bipartisan bills offered in the 2020 legislative session. Senate President Karen Fann sponsored SB 1143 and Rep. Alma Hernandez sponsored HB 2682, mirror bills requiring mandatory instruction about the Holocaust and other genocides to public school students at least twice between 7th and 12th grades. As the bills moved through the legislative process, Holocaust survivors testified in support of the bills. Although SB 1143 and HB 2682 gathered broad bipartisan support, the bills died when the Covid-19 outbreak caused a premature end to the legislative session.
"I am thrilled that the State Board of Education took proactive action to bring Holocaust education to the classroom," said President Karen Fann. "I also know how much this meant to Rep. Hernandez. This is yet another example of how important working across the aisle is to passing policies that have meaningful impact on society."
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For more information, contact:
Mike Philipsen, Director of Communications
Arizona State Senate Republican Caucus
Cell (602) 904-2070