HARRISBURG – As the nation observes another year of remembrance for the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, a new law will ensure that every school in Pennsylvania next year will have access to essential resources to teach students about the events and significance of that fateful day, according to Sen. Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-York), who championed the measure.
“As we reflect on another anniversary of 9/11, it’s more important than ever to ensure our students understand the profound impact of that day, as well as the events leading up to and following that somber day in American history,” Phillips-Hill said. “By next year, all Pennsylvania schools will have the tools needed to educate students about the courage, sacrifice, and lasting legacy of 9/11, so the memory of those we lost and the heroism that ensued will never fade.”
Phillips-Hill noted that the curriculum is not an unfunded mandate and will aid schools in teaching about the events leading up to, during, and after Sept. 11, 2001. The resources will cover the attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and United Airlines Flight 93, as well as the nation’s response and the broader implications for American history and foreign policy.
“No high school student was alive on 9/11. As we look back 23 years later, this curriculum will ensure that we never forget the impact, the lessons, and the implications of 9/11. They will be preserved and passed on to future generations,” she added.
The Pennsylvania Department of Education is set to release the curriculum and materials to schools by June of 2025, providing a structured approach to commemorating and understanding the historical significance of 9/11.