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HD 6093

A communication from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (see item 1595-0116 of Section 2E of Chapter 9 of the Acts of 2025) submitting the Genocide Education Trust Fund and Programming report for fiscal year 2024

194th Legislature (2025-2026)

Massachusetts continues funding genocide education, detailing FY2024 activities and projecting expanded grants, materials, and evaluation for FY2025 to broaden district implementat

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Bill Summary · HD 6093

Overview

  • Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
  • Bill: HD 6093
  • Session: 194th
  • Topic: Genocide Education Trust Fund and Programming; FY2024 report from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) pursuant to Chapter 98 of the Acts of 2021
  • Date: January 2025
  • Purpose of bill/document: Present the Genocide Education Trust Fund (the Fund) activities, expenditures, grants, and program progress for FY2024, and outline FY2025 revenue and major expenditure projections and planned activities.

Main purpose and intent

  • To report on the Genocide Education Trust Fund and its programming for FY2024, as required by Chapter 98 of the Acts of 2021.
  • To describe how funds were received, spent, and allocated to expand and deepen genocide education in Massachusetts middle and high schools.
  • To provide transparency on grantmaking to local education agencies (LEAs) and other stakeholders, and to outline expected funding and activities for FY2025.

Key provisions and changes

  • Fund purpose and allowed uses

    • The Genocide Education Trust Fund is dedicated to educating middle and high school students about the history of genocide.
    • Authorized uses include developing curricular materials detailing causes, international response, progression, and aftermath of genocide; providing professional development, trainings, seminars, conferences, and instructional materials for educators.
    • At least 50% of annual expenditures must be allocated to public schools or school districts.

  • FY2024 funding and expenditures

    • FY2024 Funds Received: $2,000,000 appropriated for the Genocide Education Trust Fund.
    • FY2024 Expenditures (as of Sept 20, 2024): $914,294 total
    • Grant Awards: $762,583
    • Genocide Education Grant (FC 215/215a): $835,861
    • Returned funds from grantees: -$73,278
    • Project Expenses: $151,711
      • Curricular Materials Review: $37,292
      • Genocide Education Evaluation: $114,419
    • NOTE: Totals indicate overlap/partial reporting; the document details grants and supporting projects rather than a single line-item total.

  • FY2025 funding and planned expenditures

    • FY2025 Funds Received: $3,000,000 appropriated.
    • Projected major expenditures:
    • Grants to Public Entities: $1,200,000
    • Genocide Education Grant (FC 215): $1,200,000
    • Project Expenses: $270,000
    • Genocide Education Resource Development: $200,000
    • Genocide Education Evaluation: $70,000
    • Employee Costs: $97,500
    • Estimated Total FY2025 Expenditures: $1,567,500
    • Ongoing expectation of continued funding to LEAs awarded grants in Spring 2024 and continuation of evaluation and resource development activities.

  • Grant programs and recipients

    • Genocide Education Grant (FC 215/FC 215a)
    • Cycle 1 (FY2023–FY2024 continuation): 36 LEAs awarded
      • Total Cycle 1 awards: $691,189
      • Examples of Cycle 1 funding: Andover, Lynn, Haverhill, Boston, etc.
    • Cycle 2 (FY2024; funding through June 2025): 43 LEAs funded across FY2024–FY2025; 16 funded for FY2024; 26 additional recipients funded for FY2025 only
      • Total Cycle 2 funding: $1,343,089
      • Total across Cycle 1 and Cycle 2: $1,343,089
    • Selection criteria emphasized:
    • Alignment with History/Social Science Framework and Chapter 98 goals
    • Equity and expanded access to genocide education
    • Sustainability and long-term impact
    • Partnership with external organizations and community involvement

  • Grantee programming data (FY2024)

    • Grade levels taught: Instruction across middle and high school grades; strongest emphasis in grades 9–12
    • Instructional hours: Cycle 1 average ~88 hours; Cycle 2 average ~80 hours
    • Courses and topics: Genocide content included in required history/social studies/ELA courses; elective courses also offered (e.g., Race and Identity in a Global Context, Facing History and Ourselves)
    • Notable findings:
    • Cycle 1: 82% of responding grantees reported genocide topics in mandatory courses
    • Cycle 2: 87.5% reported inclusion in mandatory courses; 62% offered genocide in electives
    • Grade-level distribution: Strong presence in high school courses; offerings expanded across broader grade bands in Cycle 2

  • Program evaluation and materials

    • Curricular Materials Review: Completed a K-12 History/Social Science materials guide; included genocide education materials review
    • Genocide Education Evaluation: Statewide evaluation underway with MC Education; landscape analysis of genocide education across MA

  • Looking ahead to FY2025

    • Continue genocide education evaluation and landscape analysis
    • Develop additional supports and resources based on evaluation findings
    • Maintain staff capacity (contract employee) to support the program
    • Continue grant funding to districts to strengthen genocide education

Who is affected

  • Middle and high school students across Massachusetts will have expanded access to genocide education through enhanced curricula and instructional hours.
  • LEAs (public school districts and charter schools) receive grant funding to implement or expand genocide education programming.
  • Educators receive professional development, curricular materials, and planning resources.
  • External partners and community organizations may participate through grant-funded collaborations.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Legal basis: Chapter 98 of the Acts of 2021 establishing the Genocide Education Trust Fund and authorizing expenditure for related programming.
  • Reporting requirement: DESE must provide an annual report to the Legislature detailing fund receipts, expenditures, grantee activities, and progress of genocide education programs; the report must be publicly available on DESE’s website.
  • FY2024 reporting period: Document covers activities through September 2024; reflects Cycle 1 and Cycle 2 grant activity and program outcomes.
  • FY2025 timeline: Funding appropriated ($3 million) with planned expenditures; continued evaluation work and resource development scheduled, plus ongoing grant administration through 2025.

Summary

This bill commission presents a detailed FY2024 report on Massachusetts’ Genocide Education Trust Fund and its programming, describing fund sources, expenditures, and grant activity that expanded genocide education in public schools. It confirms ongoing commitment to supporting high-quality, equitable, and sustainable genocide education through grants, curricular materials, and professional development, with FY2025 plans to increase investment, continue evaluation, and broaden district-level implementation.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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