To ensure the tragedies of the past are not forgotten, and that future generations learn from them, Gov. Rick Snyder signed a bill adding genocide instruction to the social studies curriculum.
House Bill 4493, requires that all social studies curriculum for grades 8-12 in school districts and public school academies include teachings on genocides. This includes, but not limited to the Holocaust and the Armenian Genocide.
“Our next generation of leaders needs to have the wherewithal to recognize and help prevent widespread harm to their fellow men and women,” Snyder said. “Teaching the students of Michigan about genocide is important because we should remember and learn about these terrible events in our past while continuing to work toward creating a more tolerant society.”
In his signing letter, Snyder said that this bill does not indicate that state officials are the best to choose what specific materials need to be taught in schools.
"There is a delicate balance we need to be mindful of when we consider requiring that certain subjects be included in our statewide education system," Snyder said in his letter. "The recommendations of local school boards, teachers, other professional educators and parents need to be considered when developing a curriculum."
The bill, sponsored by State Rep. Klint Kesto, is now Public Act 170 of 2016.
