PENNSYLVANIA, USA — Dustin Prievo was a sophomore in high school when he watched the World Trade Center burn on a classroom television screen.
The events of the Sept. 11th attacks on the nation are still vivid memories in the minds of many Americans, but for those who were too young to remember, the impact may not be felt in the same way.
That’s why a new school curriculum will standardize how students learn about this important moment in American history.
“Many of the teachers that are educating our students were not alive or were toddlers,” said State Senator Kristin Phillips-Hill.
Today, 37% of Americans don’t remember the terror attacks that changed the nation on 9/11. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, about 30% of Americans today were born after 2001 and another 7% were 5 years old or younger, and too young to remember.
This is why Phillips-Hill sponsored the bill, that’s now law, aimed at teaching younger generations about the attacks and the lasting impact they had on the country. According to her, the curriculum will include the events leading up to 9/11, what happened at each of the crash sites and how the attacks changed the country.
“The world that they inherit has changed dramatically as a result of 9/11, and there’s so many incredible stories from that day,” Phillips-Hill said.
Prievo is a parent in the Red Lion School District, and with two young kids who are just beginning their education, he hopes the new curriculum will teach them more than just the history of the attacks.
“I think the important part is understanding the consequences of hate and what that looks like,” Prievo said.
He added that taking pride in your country and understanding the freedoms Americans enjoy comes from honoring historical events.
“They need to know and they need to have that moral and that ethical reflection on what happened that day and just all those things that allow the kids to critically think,” Prievo said.
Amy Marenick is a coordinator of behavioral health services for the School District of Lancaster and said another important part of the new curriculum is context.
She recalled, “I was talking with one student today about the changes that it affected everywhere. When you go to get on an airplane, we didn’t have all the TSA security checks that we have now, it was very different. So I think it’s very important to understand context.”
Prievo agrees, highlighting the impact that retelling stories can have on understanding difficult topics.
“Teachers are in a very tough position and it’s probably difficult for them to even speak of because they were there, they were a part of it. But it’s important to them to share their experience with the children as well,” Prievo said.
But with this difficult topic, Marenick says it's important that the curriculum isn’t one size fits all.
“You don't want to go as in-depth with younger students. You’re going to talk more with them about [how] there was an event that occurred that impacted all of us. Whereas you can go more in-depth talking about the terrorism aspects when you’re talking with older students,” Marenick explained.
For this reason, Phillips-Hill says the school districts will have the freedom to implement the curriculum as they see fit.
While the attacks were tragic, Phillips-Hill said they also helped unite the community. “At the very worst moment in our history, Americans came together.”
Which Prievo says is a necessary stepping stone in creating the same unity today.
“I think starting to introduce them this way, whether it's a coloring book and this is what happened, and just love your neighbor, love your friends, love your teacher, show respect If that’s the worst that comes from it, I think that's a step in the right direction,” Prievo said.
The curriculum won’t be changed right away. According to a press release from Phillip-Hill on the new law, the Pennsylvania Department of Education should release the curriculum to schools by June 2025 along with supplemental materials for students and teachers.