In at least 40 states, public schools are either expected or encouraged to discuss 9/11 in class, have a moment of silence or some other observance, or some combination.
In Kentucky, how the events of Sept. 11 or its commemoration are included in a school’s curriculum is a local decision, but the state’s social studies standards invite discussion of the subject. That's according to the state Department of Education.
For example, high school U.S. history standards suggest exploring U.S. involvement in “international alliances fighting against terrorism around the world after 9/11.”
An Associated Press project tracking schools' strategies for teaching or honoring the victims of 9/11 focus on specific mentions of the date, so the data doesn't necessarily capture broader references to terrorism, conflict, national security or other terms that could lead to a discussion of the Sept. 11 attacks.
Also, schools and teachers may choose to discuss 9/11 on their own.