Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne sent a letter on Tuesday demanding each school in Arizona provide evidence demonstrating compliance with a state law mandating students learn about the Holocaust by January 24.
Horne notified schools via email to “report us by close of business” on January 24 “what you are doing to implement ARS Section 15-701.2 regarding instruction on the Holocaust and other genocides,” and for schools to “indicate how much time is devoted to the subject and what you use for curriculum.”
Arizona law requires the Arizona Board of Education (ADE) to “include a requirement that students be taught about the Holocaust and other genocides at least twice between the seventh and twelfth grades,” requiring students to learn about the systematic murder of Jews by genocidal dictator Adolf Hitler.
In a statement published by the ADE, Horne said he was motivated for call for the evidence following recent pro-Palestine protests and events.
Since Hamas launched its unprovoked terrorist attacks against Israel on October 7, 2023, “we have learned all-too-well how many people are ignorant about the realities of the Holocaust and other genocides of history,” said Horne.
“We have heard about pro-Hamas and anti-American propaganda being spread in a high school student club, students being intimidated because of their ethnicity, and we have seen pro-Hamas protests on college campuses,” he listed.
Horne said such “[e]xpressions of hatred” are “unacceptable in an educational setting” and that educators should “combat this scourge with learning.” In his email, the superintendent noted the ADE has resources available to teachers seeking support for Holocaust education.
“Students would not be vulnerable to antisemitic propaganda if they had received proper Holocaust instruction,” Horne argued. “I’m grateful state law exists to require instruction on the Holocaust and other genocides, and it is important to ensure that districts and charter schools are in compliance.”
Horne’s demand follows a series of protests and controversial events at Arizona’s college campuses.
In November, a student government meeting at Arizona State University was interrupted when pro-Palestine protesters reportedly pelted the building’s windows with rocks, ultimately leading to a police escort for students trapped in the building. An investigation was formally launched on November 20, 2023.
The same university’s Students for Justice in Palestine chapter had planned a speaking event including Representative Rashida Tlaib (D-MI-12), who was accused of holding “extremist, antisemitic views” in a bipartisan statement released by members of the Arizona Legislature. The speaking event was ultimately canceled, with the university citing security concerns.
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Tom Pappert is the lead reporter for The Tennessee Star, and also reports for The Georgia Star News, The Virginia Star, and the Arizona Sun Times. Follow Tom on X/Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
