Lynnfield Public Schools Awarded $40K Genocide Education Grant by DESE

The Lynnfield Public Schools have been awarded a $40,000 Genocide Education Grant by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).

Acting Education Commissioner Russell Johnston recently announced a total of $1.3 million in funding for 42 applicants under the competitive grant program, which was open to public school districts, charter schools, and education collaboratives, with individual grant awards ranging from $1,900 to $60,000. According to DESE, “The grant provides support to districts to train educators in content knowledge and pedagogical skills relevant to genocide education, more fully and sustainably incorporate genocide education resources into core curricula and provide meaningful learning experiences for students relating to genocide education.”

Lynnfield’s grant application was strongly endorsed by the Lynnfield School Committee and the Select Board.

“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Senator Crighton and Representative Jones for their work in helping the Lynnfield Public Schools to secure this grant,” said Interim Superintendent of Schools Thomas Geary. “The funds will ensure that our students receive a more in-depth education on pertinent historical and current events related to genocide. In addition, the funds will allow for customized professional development for teachers and the opportunity to acquire curriculum materials, books, technology, and other resources to best align our teaching practices. We’re thankful for the opportunity to partner with DESE on this grant, and are excited for the opportunities that this grant will provide for our students.”

“On behalf of the Select Board we are grateful to Rep. Jones and Sen. Crighton for their advocacy in securing this important grant for our schools. We stand with the school committee and fully agree that education is the key to stopping hate in our society and this grant will ensure that our students get that education to become better citizens of Lynnfield and the world,” said Lynnfield Select Board Chair Joseph Connell.

“Congratulations to the Lynnfield Public Schools for successfully pursuing this grant funding,” said House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading). “It is critical that students have an understanding of the history of genocide and the conditions that have led to these unspeakable acts so we as a society can learn from the past and not repeat these atrocities.”

“Genocide education is crucial for our students to learn both about the atrocities of the past and to gain the knowledge and understanding needed today to address a wide range of very complicated issues,” said Senator Brendan P. Crighton (D-Lynn). “I commend Lynnfield’s efforts to secure this funding which will provide the resources that our teachers and schools need to provide this robust learning experience.”

Under legislation signed into law in December of 2021, Massachusetts school districts are now required to teach middle and high school students about the history and patterns of genocide in a way that aligns with the content standards laid out in the 2018 Massachusetts History and Social Science Framework. According to DESE, the intent of this law is to promote a broader understanding of human rights issues in general; to examine the patterns of genocide that show how prejudice and hatred impact societies; and to reject group-specific targeting and prejudice that can lead to violence and genocide.

Funding for the grants comes from the Genocide Education Trust Fund, which was created under the 2021 law. The fund is supported through legislative appropriations as well as revenues generated from fines imposed for hate crimes and civil rights violations.