Never Forget: September Eleventh Awareness Education Act

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Policy Status

  • Type: Model Policy
  • Status: Draft
  • Date Introduced: December 3, 2025

Task Forces

  • American City County Exchange
  • Federalism, Homeland Security and International Relations

    • Tags

  • SNPS 2025

    • Summary

    To strengthen civics education, this model policy encourages or requires local education authorities to ensure instruction on the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks are offered as part of the high school curriculum. It honors the victims, first responders, and families affected, and ensures future generations understand the historical, civic, and national importance of that day. 
    Draft

    Never Forget: September Eleventh Awareness Education Act

    Section 1. Short Title 

    This policy shall be known as the “Never Forget: September Eleventh Awareness Education Act.” 

     Section 2. Purpose and Findings 

    The American people have vowed to never forget the tragic events of September 11, 2001. Yet, as time passes, fewer students have firsthand memory of that day. Civic education and historical literacy require that local school districts provide age-appropriate instruction on: 

    1. The events and causes of the attacks;
    2. The heroism and sacrifice of first responders and civilians; 
    3. The national response, recovery, and resilience that followed. 

    Providing consistent 9/11 instruction preserves our nation’s history, honors the fallen, and instills values of patriotism, vigilance, and service. 

    Section 3. Policy Provisions 

    1. Instructional Requirement or Support.
      • (a) Local school districts are encouraged—and where feasible, required—to incorporate instruction on the September 11, 2001, attacks within high school coursework such as U.S. history, civics, or government. 
    2. Curricular Content. Instruction should, at minimum, include: 
      • (a) Overview of the attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and Flight 93; 
      • (b) The immediate and long-term impact on U.S. domestic and foreign policy; 
      • (c) The role of first responders, public servants, and volunteers; 
      • (d) Themes of resilience, unity, and civic responsibility.
    3. Local Control.
      • (a) Implementation shall remain a local decision, allowing flexibility in delivery—whether through coursework, assemblies, guest speakers, or interdisciplinary modules. Local boards may tailor content to fit their community’s needs while adhering to the act’s intent. 
    4. State and Local Collaboration.
      • (a) States and localities should coordinate with departments of education and national organizations to provide teachers with instructional resources, training, and materials to support this curriculum. 
    5. Reporting and Recognition.
      • (a) Local school boards are encouraged to report on their September 11 instruction annually and to recognize September 11 as a day of remembrance through civic or educational activities. 

    Section 4. Implementation 

    This model policy may be enacted by states, counties, or municipalities through legislation, local resolution, or administrative rule, in partnership with local education authorities.