FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION CONTACTS

Dr. Eric Smith
Florida Department of Education
Address: 325 West Gaines Street, Suite 1514
Tallahassee, FL 32399
Work Phone: 850-245-0505
Fax: 850-245-9667
Email: commissioner@fldoe.org
Website: http://www.fldoe.org/commissioner

FLORIDA LEGISLATION

Bill Number: F.S. 1003.42
Year: 2004
Title: Required Holocaust Education Mandate Public Instruction
Web Site: http://www.firn.edu/doe/holocaust

Legislation:
The 2003 Florida Statutes Title XLVIII K-20 EDUCATION CODE Chapter 1003 PUBLIC K-12 EDUCATION View Entire Chapter 1003.42 Required instruction.-- (1) Each district school board shall provide all courses required for high school graduation and appropriate instruction designed to ensure that students meet State Board of Education adopted standards in the following subject areas: reading and other language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, foreign languages, health and physical education, and the arts. (2) Members of the instructional staff of the public schools, subject to the rules of the State Board of Education and the district school board, shall teach efficiently and faithfully, using the books and materials required, following the prescribed courses of study, and employing approved methods of instruction, the following: (f) The history of the Holocaust (1933-1945), the systematic, planned annihilation of European Jews and other groups by Nazi Germany, a watershed event in the history of humanity, to be taught in a manner that leads to an investigation of human behavior, an understanding of the ramifications of prejudice, racism, and stereotyping, and an examination of what it means to be a responsible and respectful person, for the purposes of encouraging tolerance of diversity in a pluralistic society and for nurturing and protecting democratic values and institutions. In 1994, the Florida Legislature passed the Holocaust Education Bill (SB 660) which amends Section 233.061 of the Florida Statutes (Chapters 94-114, Laws of Florida), relating to required instruction. SB 660 requires all school districts to incorporate lessons on the Holocaust as a part of the public school curriculum. The Bill states: "The history of the Holocaust (1933-1945), the systematic, planned annihilation of European Jews and other groups by Nazi Germany, a watershed event in the history of humanity, to be taught in a manner that leads to an investigation of human behavior, an understanding of the ramifications of prejudice, racism, and stereotyping, and an examination of what it means to be a responsible and respectful person, for the purposes of encouraging tolerance of diversity in a pluralistic society and for nurturing and protecting democratic values and institutions." The Commissioner of Education created a Task Force on Holocaust Education to serve as an advisory group and to coordinate education activities.

Contact Name: Linda Medvin
Address: Broward County Public Schools 201 SW 172 Avenue
City/State/Zip: Pembroke Pines, FL 33026
Phone: 754 321-2969
Fax:
E-mail: linda.medvin@browardschools.com

FLORIDA ACADEMIC STANDARDS

Standard Type: History/Social Studies
Date Implemented: 1996
History/Social Studies: The Holocaust is not addressed explicitly in Florida’s Sunshine State Standards: Social Studies.
Web Site: http://www.firn.edu/doe/curric/prek12/frame2.htm.

Standard Type: English/Language Arts
Date Implemented: 2001
English/Language Arts: The Holocaust is not addressed explicitly in Florida’s Sunshine State Standards: Language Arts.
Web Site: http://www.firn.edu/doe/curric/prek12/frame2.htm

FLORIDA HOLOCAUST RESOURCES

For Holocaust-related resources in FLORIDA, click on the following link:
http://www.ahoinfo.org/membersdirectory/

For other Holocaust resources in FLORIDA, either click on the following sites or contact the organization at the e-mail address provided.

The School District of Palm Beach County:

eshapiro@palmbeach.k12.fl.us