Key facts
- At least 40 U.S. states have policies requiring or recommending instruction on the Sept. 11 attacks in public schools.
- The scope and specificity of 9/11 education vary significantly among states, from detailed course content to broad concepts.
- Some states, like Florida, have mandated specific time allocations for teaching about 9/11.
- Educators and victims' families express concern about the omission of 9/11 in curricula.
- A significant portion of young adults report learning about 9/11 through their schooling.
A growing majority of U.S. states, at least 40, mandate or suggest that public schools teach about the Sept. 11 attacks, but the specifics of these educational requirements vary significantly, according to an Associated Press investigation. The approaches range from detailed curriculum guidelines to broad conceptual expectations, with some states specifying dedicated instructional time.
Educators and victims' families emphasize the importance of teaching about 9/11, especially as a growing portion of the population was not alive during the attacks. Gordon Felt, whose brother died on Flight 93, expressed a fear of omission, stating, "That’s our biggest fear." Professor Jeremy Stoddard noted that 9/11 education has become more in-depth over time.
Examples of state approaches include Alabama, which integrates 9/11 into discussions of U.S. military involvement since 1980, and Texas, which frames it within "radical Islamic terrorism" and modern history. Colorado suggests analyzing the aftermath, including "Middle Eastern discrimination," while New Mexico envisions discussions encompassing post-9/11 wars, legislation, and controversial detention practices.
Despite political differences, some states like California, Florida, New Jersey, and North Dakota propose teaching about the balance between national security and civil liberties. Florida's 2023 law specifically requires 45 minutes of instruction on 9/11 in certain courses. Louisiana's "Freedom Framework" begins mentioning 9/11 in second grade, aiming to teach students about real threats to freedom and American unity.
Arizona's 2022 law initially mandated age-appropriate education for all grades, later revised to focus on seventh through 12th grades to protect younger children from graphic details while ensuring older students remember. U.S. Representative Andrew Garbarino has introduced a resolution encouraging all states to incorporate 9/11 education.
Research indicates that about 60% of young adults learned about 9/11 through school. The National Sept. 11 Memorial & Museum is actively enhancing its educational programs, raising over $25 million for student field trips and teacher training. The Flight 93 Memorial also hosted training for Pennsylvania teachers to improve instruction on the attacks.