What do students know and understand about the Holocaust?

22.12.2015

The report “What do students know and understand about the Holocaust”, from the Centre for Holocaust Education (UCL) is based on contributions from more than 8000 11-18 years old.

The research includes a detailed survey and a series of interviews conducted with more than 200 young people. The goal of the report is to build the most detailed and authoritative national research about students’ knowledge and understanding of the Shoah. Better understanding teachers and students needs will allow the Centre to create the most effective support for schools.

Appropriate and effective edcuation on the Holocaust is essential as the memory of the Holocaust is fundamental to understanding the world today.

Better understanding of teachers’ and students’ needs enables us to create the most powerful and effective support for schools available – which means more inspiring learning for young people across the country. - See more at: http://www.holocausteducation.org.uk/research/young-people-understand-holocaust/#sthash.gCrHblaV.dpuf

We found that students had multiple opportunities to encounter the Holocaust across all year groups and across a variety of different subjects. By Year 10, 85% of students reported that they had learned about the Holocaust within school. They also showed interest and willingness to learn.

83% believed the Holocaust was important to study at school
82% found the subject interesting
70% of those who had learned about the Holocaust wanted to know more

Significant gaps

Despite this widespread exposure, the evidence showed that student knowledge and understanding of the Holocaust was often limited and based on inaccuracies and misconceptions. For example, just 37% of young people surveyed knew what the term ‘antisemitism’ means. So while young people knew that the Jews were primary victims of the Holocaust, most could not explain in any depth why they were murdered.

- See more at: http://www.holocausteducation.org.uk/research/young-people-understand-holocaust/#sthash.gCrHblaV.dpuf

We found that students had multiple opportunities to encounter the Holocaust across all year groups and across a variety of different subjects. By Year 10, 85% of students reported that they had learned about the Holocaust within school. They also showed interest and willingness to learn.

83% believed the Holocaust was important to study at school
82% found the subject interesting
70% of those who had learned about the Holocaust wanted to know more

Significant gaps

Despite this widespread exposure, the evidence showed that student knowledge and understanding of the Holocaust was often limited and based on inaccuracies and misconceptions. For example, just 37% of young people surveyed knew what the term ‘antisemitism’ means. So while young people knew that the Jews were primary victims of the Holocaust, most could not explain in any depth why they were murdered.

- See more at: http://www.holocausteducation.org.uk/research/young-people-understand-holocaust/#sthash.gCrHblaV.dpuf

We found that students had multiple opportunities to encounter the Holocaust across all year groups and across a variety of different subjects. By Year 10, 85% of students reported that they had learned about the Holocaust within school. They also showed interest and willingness to learn.

83% believed the Holocaust was important to study at school
82% found the subject interesting
70% of those who had learned about the Holocaust wanted to know more

Significant gaps

Despite this widespread exposure, the evidence showed that student knowledge and understanding of the Holocaust was often limited and based on inaccuracies and misconceptions. For example, just 37% of young people surveyed knew what the term ‘antisemitism’ means. So while young people knew that the Jews were primary victims of the Holocaust, most could not explain in any depth why they were murdered.

- See more at: http://www.holocausteducation.org.uk/research/young-people-understand-holocaust/#sthash.gCrHblaV.dpuf

Read more about the survey and read the report.

Paul Salmonds, Programme Director of the Centre for Holocaust Education, is a member of the United Kingdom delegation to the IHRA.