Advocates Contend Students Not Being Taught History Of WTC Attacks
NEW YORK (WCBS 880/1010 WINS) -- With Saturday marking the 18th anniversary of the first bombing on the World Trade Center, advocates are voicing concern that school students are not being taught the history of the terror attacks.
Lee Ielpi, one of the founders of the Tribute WTC Visitor's Center, is among those who contends schools are not teaching about the World Trade Center attacks and should be doing so.
"To the best of our knowledge, there is absolutely not a state nor union that has any formalized educational program or curriculum in place," Ielpi, who's son Jonathan was killed on 9/11, told WCBS 880's Rich Lamb.
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WCBS 880's Rich Lamb with those advocating for a 9/11 school curriculum
Ielpi said he was angered by a historian he had spoke with who argued that it might be too early to start teaching the history of 9/11 and that more time may need to pass to breach the subject.
"I'm looking at this person like this person might have a hole in the head," he said.
Dr. Betty Rosa, a member of the New York State Board of Regents, said it was key and critical to develop a 9/11 curriculum.
"I'm very encouraged by the work that's being done here and certainly I know I'm going to bring this back to the Board of Regents as a must."
Rosa added that such an educational topic was long overdue, but should not be taught in a "sugar-coated kind of way."
Meanwhile, the president and CEO of the National September 11 Memorial and Museum, released a statement Saturday saying the the six people who died in the 1993 bombing will among those honored at the forthcoming 9/11 Memorial.
Joe Daniels said the victims' names "will be among those permanently inscribed in bronze around the twin memorial pools."
In addition to the deaths, scores of people were injured in the February 26, 1993 attack in which a car bomb exploded underneath the World Trade Center.
A number of people were convicted in the plot, including Ramzi Yousef, who was given life in prison without parole.
SOUND-OFF: Do you think there should be an extensive 9/11 curriculum in New York City schools?
