Senate committee requires age-appropriate Holocaust instruction beginning in grade 6
March 20, 2025 | 2025 Legislature WV, West Virginia
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A Senate committee on Wednesday agreed to a committee substitute for Senate Bill 54 that directs all public schools to provide age-appropriate instruction on the Holocaust, with instruction not to be given before grade 6.
Counsel explained the substitute, saying it "requires all public schools to give age appropriate instruction on the Holocaust to be taught in a manner that leads to an investigation of human behavior, an understanding of the ramifications of prejudice, racism, stereotyping, and an examination of what it means to be a responsible and respectful person," and that instruction "cannot be given before grade 6."
Senators debated the bill's scope and language. Several members expressed strong support for ensuring students learn about the Holocaust; others worried about redundancy with existing standards and about appropriate grade levels for different content. One senator described denial of the Holocaust as a growing problem and said teaching the subject in secondary education is appropriate.
Senator from Raleigh offered an amendment to tighten the bill's language. As read in committee, the amendment would streamline the required outcomes to read that instruction "lead[s] to an investigation of human behavior and an examination of what it means to be a responsible and respectful person," remove some of the enumerated phrases and leave the proviso prohibiting instruction before grade 6. The sponsor said the elements the amendment removed — such as discussion of prejudice and propaganda — are typically covered in existing standards and classroom practice, and preferred leaving those pedagogical decisions to teachers and standards already in place.
The committee adopted the senator's amendment by voice vote and then agreed to the committee substitute as amended. The vice chair moved that the substitute, as amended, be reported to the full Senate with a recommendation that it pass; the motion was carried by voice vote.
What happens next: the committee advanced the measure to the full Senate with a recommendation to pass; the substitute specifies that instruction not begin before grade 6 and leaves details of curricula and standards to classroom practice and the State Board's standards and rules.
Counsel explained the substitute, saying it "requires all public schools to give age appropriate instruction on the Holocaust to be taught in a manner that leads to an investigation of human behavior, an understanding of the ramifications of prejudice, racism, stereotyping, and an examination of what it means to be a responsible and respectful person," and that instruction "cannot be given before grade 6."
Senators debated the bill's scope and language. Several members expressed strong support for ensuring students learn about the Holocaust; others worried about redundancy with existing standards and about appropriate grade levels for different content. One senator described denial of the Holocaust as a growing problem and said teaching the subject in secondary education is appropriate.
Senator from Raleigh offered an amendment to tighten the bill's language. As read in committee, the amendment would streamline the required outcomes to read that instruction "lead[s] to an investigation of human behavior and an examination of what it means to be a responsible and respectful person," remove some of the enumerated phrases and leave the proviso prohibiting instruction before grade 6. The sponsor said the elements the amendment removed — such as discussion of prejudice and propaganda — are typically covered in existing standards and classroom practice, and preferred leaving those pedagogical decisions to teachers and standards already in place.
The committee adopted the senator's amendment by voice vote and then agreed to the committee substitute as amended. The vice chair moved that the substitute, as amended, be reported to the full Senate with a recommendation that it pass; the motion was carried by voice vote.
What happens next: the committee advanced the measure to the full Senate with a recommendation to pass; the substitute specifies that instruction not begin before grade 6 and leaves details of curricula and standards to classroom practice and the State Board's standards and rules.
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