Social Studies Guidance & Resources

• Civic Readiness Initiative
  • Seal of Civic Readiness

Holocaust Instruction Survey

On August 10, 2022, Governor Kathy Hochul signed into law Chapter 490 of the Laws of 2022 requiring a survey regarding instruction on the Holocaust within New York State public school districts.  Through the survey, superintendents were required to attest that the district is teaching about the Holocaust appropriately as part of classroom instruction aligned with the NYS Social Studies Learning Standards and §801 of Education Law.  A report of the findings of the survey was delivered to the governor, the temporary president of the senate, the speaker of the assembly, the minority leader of the senate, and the minority leader of the assembly and is available below.

• Holocaust Survey Memo

Final Report on Survey Findings

• Holocaust Instruction in New York State Public School Districts – A report on findings from the Fall 2022 survey of New York State public school districts regarding instruction on the Holocaust within the state.

Holocaust Instruction in New York State

The New York State K-12 Social Studies Framework requires instruction in the Holocaust at specific grade levels. While instruction of human rights and the Holocaust is discussed and taught throughout K-12, it is more explicitly taught in the 8th, 10th, and 11th grades when students learn about the horrors of the Holocaust, the Nuremberg Trials, and the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights.  Holocaust Education resources can be found below and on the NYSED Social Studies webpage. 

Holocaust Education Resources

This section houses a collection of resources and guidance to support Holocaust education.  Utilization of the NYSED’s resources to support curriculum development and instruction is optional; all instructional decisions are made at the local level. The sites below are provided as options and sources for ideas and inspiration only. The list is also not exhaustive; there are many quality resources and learning activities available online.

• Teaching the Holocaust and Other Genocides
  • Created through a collaboration with the Holocaust & Human Rights Education Center, the New York State Archives Partnership Trust, and the New York State Education Department, this online resource platform for educators includes learning activities, readings, case studies, and a variety of additional resources to support diverse learners.
• United States Holocaust Memorial Museum  (Washington, D.C.)
  • ​Fundamentals of Teaching the Holocaust: Includes getting started guide, guidelines for teaching and foundational teaching materials including lesson plans, videos and virtual field trips.
• Anti-Defamation League (NY)
  • Holocaust lesson plans for educators and children's literature on the Holocaust
• United Nations Outreach Programme on the Holocaust
  • Teaching materials and educational materials from partners including UNESCO, Yad Vashem, and B'nai B'rith International
• Yad Vashem (Israel):  The World Holocaust Remembrance Center
  • Education materials, including videos, online sources, international projects and activities, and educational materials in other languages
• Museum of Jewish Heritage (NY)
  • Holocaust lesson plans and resources
• NYPL Holocaust Research, Education, and Remembrance Online: Education
  • Includes websites, links to curricula, museums, and memoirs

• Unladylike2020: Indigenous Women Grades 6-12
• Film BYKids: Against the Current Grades 6-12
• American Masters: N. Scott Momaday Grades 6-12
• Let’s Share a Story: Wolf Cub’s Song PreK-2
• Celebrate Thanksgiving with Cyberchase Grades K-2
• Mission US: A Cheyenne Odyssey Grades 4-9

In celebration of the upcoming 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and subsequent American Revolution, the New York State Education Department’s (NYSED) Office of Standards and Instruction (OSI) has developed this interdisciplinary resource guide. The 250th anniversary marks a pivotal moment in the history of our nation and the state of New York. It presents a unique opportunity to examine lessons from our past, while also looking towards building a future where the ideals of the Revolution are extended to all Americans.

250th Anniversary of the American Revolution New York State Resource Guide

250th Anniversary of the American Revolution New York State Resource Guide Memo

National Hispanic Heritage Month is observed from September 15 to October 15. Its origin dates back to 1968 when it was initially established as Hispanic Heritage Week by President Lyndon B. Johnson. Later, in 1988, President Ronald Reagan expanded it to a monthlong celebration. This month of special recognition coincides with the independence days of several Latin American countries. September 15 marks the anniversary of independence for Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September 18, respectively. The resources listed below are provided for informational and inspirational purposes only. Please note that this list is not comprehensive; numerous high-quality educational resources and learning activities are available through various online platforms.

New York State Resources

• NYS Museum Hispanic Heritage Resources
• NYS Archives Consider the Source New York, Hispanic Heritage Month Resources
• PBS Hispanic Heritage Resources
• NYS Library Hispanic American Heritage Month Reading List

Additional Resources

• The Hispanic Museum and Library
• National Museum of the American Latino
• Library of Congress Hispanic Reading Room
• National Park Services Hispanic Heritage Month