Massachusetts Public Schools Not Required to Teach 9/11 History

The next observance of the September 11th terrorist attacks that claimed the lives of nearly 3,000, mostly American citizens, and many others who died later from causes related to the attacks, will be the 25th anniversary of the day we swore we'd never forget.

Not only have many forgotten what happened that bright, sunlit late summer Tuesday morning, but many others have never been adequately taught about it, if at all.

News of the assassination of Christian and political activist Charlie Kirk on the campus of Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, the day before overshadowed the 24th anniversary observance of 9/11.

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No 9/11 History Required in Massachusetts Classrooms

What is shocking is that Massachusetts public schools are not required to teach about the events of September 11, 2001. If you are under 30 years old, chances are you have no firsthand recollection of the attacks. That includes many teachers in the public school system.

The Massachusetts 9/11 Fund reports that only 14 states require public schools to teach about 9/11. Massachusetts is not among them.

This revelation is disturbing since, as State House News Service points out that "more than 200 people with ties to Massachusetts died in the attacks" and that "two of the planes originated out of Boston's Logan Airport."

SHNS quoted the Massachusetts 9/11 Fund: "Without a formal education plan for 9/11 included as part of the required school curriculum across the Commonwealth, the Mass 9/11 Fund focuses on providing critical education resources to teachers, as well as experiences like the roundtable discussion and in-school presentations by family members."

The goal of the Massachusetts 9/11 Fund is to "ensure today's students, as well as future generations, continue to learn about the impact of one of the most transformative days in our nation's history and its links to Massachusetts."

Gov. Healey Wants More 9/11 Education

SHNS reported that Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey has instructed the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to "better incorporate" 9/11 history into the public school curriculum.