VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION CONTACTS

Mrs. Betsy Barton
Virginia Department of Education
Address: P. O. Box 2120
Richmond, VA 23218--2120
Work Phone: 804-225-3454
Fax: 804-786-1703
Email: Betsy.Barton@doe.virginia.gov
Website: www.doe.virginia.gov

Dr. Beverly M. Thurston
Coordinator for History and Social Sciences at Office of Middle and High School Instruction, Virginia Department of Education
Address: P.O. Box 2120
Richmond, VA 23218--2120
Work Phone: 804-225-2893
Fax: 804-786-1597
Email: Beverly.Thurston@doe.virginia.gov
Website: www.doe.virginia.gov

VIRGINIA LEGISLATION

Bill Number: HB 2409
Year: 2009
Title: Holocaust education; Board of Education to establish objectives therefor.
Web Site: http://www.doe.virginia.gov/VDOE/PolicyPub/legis98/bills.html

Legislation:
Holocaust education; teacher's manual. Requires the State Superintendent of Public Instruction to select and distribute a teacher's manual that emphasizes the causes and ramifications of the Holocaust and genocide to all school divisions. Local school divisions must provide grade-appropriate portions of such manual to each history and literature teacher.

VIRGINIA ACADEMIC STANDARDS

Standard Type: History/Social Studies
Date Implemented: 2000
Grade Level: Middle & High School (grades 7-12)
History/Social Studies: United States History II – 1877 to present: Standard USII.6a - The student will demonstrate knowledge of the major causes and effects of American involvement in World War II by a) identifying the causes and events that led to American involvement in the war, including the attack on Pearl Harbor. · Essential Understandings: The rise of fascism threatened peace in Europe and Asia. · Essential Questions: How did the rise of fascism affect world events following World War I? · Essential Knowledge: Causes of World War II · Rise of Fascism · Fascism is a political philosophy in which total power is given to a dictator and individual freedoms are denied. · Fascism is a political philosophy in which total power is given to a dictator and individual Fascist dictators included Adolf Hitler (Germany), Benito Mussolini (Italy), and Hideki Tojo (Japan). · These dictators led the countries that became known as the Axis Powers (page 20). Standard USII.6b – The student will demonstrate knowledge of the major causes and effects of American involvement in by b) describing the major events and turning points of the war in Europe and the Pacific. Essential Understandings: · Despite initial Axis success in both Europe and the Pacific, the Allies persevered and ultimately defeated Germany and Japan. · The Holocaust is an example of prejudice and discrimination taken to the extreme. Essential Questions · What were the major events and turning points of World War II? · What was the Holocaust? Essential Knowledge · The Holocaust · Anti-Semitism · Aryan supremacy · Systematic attempt to rid Europe of all Jews · Tactics – Boycott of Jewish stores – Threats – Segregation – Imprisonment and killing of Jews and others in concentration camps · Liberation by Allied forces of Jews and others in concentration camps (page 22) World History and Geography: 1500 A.D. to the present- · Standard WHII.10c - Examining events related to the rise, aggression, and human costs of dictatorial regimes in the Soviet Union, Germany, Italy, and Japan, and identifying their major leaders, i.e., Joseph Stalin, Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini, Hirohito, and Hideki Tojo. (see page 44) · Standard WHII.11a - The student will demonstrate knowledge of the worldwide impact of World War II by explaining economic and political causes, major events, and identifying leaders of the war, with emphasis on Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry Truman, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Douglas MacArthur, George Marshall, Winston Churchill, Joseph Stalin, Adolf Hitler, Hideki Tojo, and Hirohito; (see page 46) · Standard WHII.11b - Examining the Holocaust and other examples of genocide in the twentieth century; (see page 48) · Standard WHII.11c - Explaining the terms of the peace, the war crimes trials, the division of Europe, plans to rebuild Germany and Japan, and the creation of international cooperative organizations. (see page 49)
Web Site: http://www.pen.k12.va.us/VDOE/Instruction/History/hist_ss_framework.html
English/Language Arts: While Virginia does not address the Holocaust specifically, a majority of high school teachers do teach it. The Commonwealth does not have a required reading list, but does require specific themes, genres, and literary archetypes be taught. For example in 12th grade: c) Relate literary works and authors to major themes and issues of their eras. * recognize major themes and issues related to ° religious diversity ° political struggles ° ethnic and cultural mores and traditions ° individual rights, gender equity, and civil rights. In 10th grade: 10.3 The student will read, comprehend, and critique literary works. a) Identify text organization and structure. b) Identify main and supporting ideas. c) Make predictions, draw inferences, and connect prior knowledge to support reading comprehension. d) Explain similarities and differences of techniques and literary forms represented in the literature of different cultures and eras. e) Identify universal themes prevalent in the literature of different cultures. f) Examine a literary selection from several critical perspectives. Students will know the ways that literature is defined by a variety of literary works, themes, and universal themes. They will read a wide range of literary genres from different cultures and time periods in order to gain an appreciation of various cultural histories and recognize similarities in images and themes that connect all peoples. To be successful with this standard, students are expected to * identify recurring cultural themes, such as ° struggle with nature ° survival of the fittest ° coming of age ° power of love ° loss of innocence ° struggle with self ° disillusionment with life ° the effects of scientific progress ° power of nature ° alienation and isolation ° honoring the historical past ° good overcoming evil ° tolerance of the atypical

Standard Type: English/Language Arts
Date Implemented: 2003
History/Social Studies: United States History: II – 1877 to present: Standard USII.6a - The student will demonstrate knowledge of the major causes and effects of American involvement in World War II by a) identifying the causes and events that led to American involvement in the war, including the attack on Pearl Harbor. • Essential Understandings: The rise of fascism threatened peace in Europe and Asia. • Essential Questions: How did the rise of fascism affect world events following World War I? • Essential Knowledge: Causes of World War II • Rise of Fascism • Fascism is a political philosophy in which total power is given to a dictator and individual freedoms are denied. • Fascism is a political philosophy in which total power is given to a dictator and individual Fascist dictators included Adolf Hitler (Germany), Benito Mussolini (Italy), and Hideki Tojo (Japan). • These dictators led the countries that became known as the Axis Powers (page 20). Standard USII.6b – The student will demonstrate knowledge of the major causes and effects of American involvement in by b) describing the major events and turning points of the war in Europe and the Pacific. Essential Understandings: • Despite initial Axis success in both Europe and the Pacific, the Allies persevered and ultimately defeated Germany and Japan. • The Holocaust is an example of prejudice and discrimination taken to the extreme. Essential Questions • What were the major events and turning points of World War II? • What was the Holocaust? Essential Knowledge • The Holocaust • Anti-Semitism • Aryan supremacy • Systematic attempt to rid Europe of all Jews • Tactics – Boycott of Jewish stores – Threats – Segregation – Imprisonment and killing of Jews and others in concentration camps • Liberation by Allied forces of Jews and others in concentration camps (page 22) World History and Geography: 1500 A.D. to the present- • Standard WHII.10c - Examining events related to the rise, aggression, and human costs of dictatorial regimes in the Soviet Union, Germany, Italy, and Japan, and identifying their major leaders, i.e., Joseph Stalin, Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini, Hirohito, and Hideki Tojo. (see page 44) • Standard WHII.11a - The student will demonstrate knowledge of the worldwide impact of World War II by explaining economic and political causes, major events, and identifying leaders of the war, with emphasis on Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry Truman, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Douglas MacArthur, George Marshall, Winston Churchill, Joseph Stalin, Adolf Hitler, Hideki Tojo, and Hirohito; (see page 46) • Standard WHII.11b - Examining the Holocaust and other examples of genocide in the twentieth century; (see page 48) • Standard WHII.11c - Explaining the terms of the peace, the war crimes trials, the division of Europe, plans to rebuild Germany and Japan, and the creation of international cooperative organizations.
Web Site: http://www.doe.virginia.gov/VDOE/Instruction/History/hist_ss_framework.html
English/Language Arts: The Holocaust is not addressed explicitly in Virginia’s Standards of Learning for English/Language Arts.
Web Site: http://www.doe.virginia.gov/VDOE/Instruction/English/englishCF.html

VIRGINIA HOLOCAUST RESOURCES

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