Survey says…
Holocaust education in high school critical to college success, activism
Kol Israel Foundation has always been dedicated to educating the community about the Holocaust and consequences of hate. A new study validates—and, indeed, bolsters—KIF’s commitment to teaching teenagers.
Echoes & Reflections—a partnership of ADL, USC Shoah Foundation, and Yad Vashem—commissioned Lucid Collaborative LLC to survey 1,500 American undergraduate students about whether Holocaust education in high school affected their attitudes and behaviors once they hit campus. The sample was comprised of 18- to 24-year-olds who spanned gender, racial, and geographic lines. Some students had received Holocaust education in high school, but others did not.
KEY FINDINGS
Among the many results, the study revealed those whose high school curricula included Holocaust education:
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Reported knowing “a lot” or “a moderate amount” about the Holocaust (78%) compared to their peers who did not study the Shoah (58%)
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Were more likely to develop pluralistic attitudes and, in fact, were 28% more inclined to challenge incorrect or biased information
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Had better critical thinking skills and a deeper commitment to social responsibility
Additionally, among those who learned about the Holocaust from firsthand Survivor testimony:
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20% credited the experience with increasing their knowledge about the Shoah’s importance
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66% said it taught them the importance of individual choices
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65% indicated it motivated them to speak up against stereotyping
The survey in its entirety can be found by clicking here.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Although we are faced with an unconventional and uncertain academic year, Kol Israel’s Holocaust Education Program is committed to presenting the lessons of the Holocaust to Northeast Ohio students in grades 7-12.
If you are an educator: We want to work together to come up with a curriculum that meets your students’ needs in a one-time event or a series.
If you are a Survivor: Share your experience with young people in a socially distanced way. We can help you set up a Zoom call.
If you are a docent: Let us know whether you are willing to present via technology. We will assist with the set-up.
