By Carole Carlson

Post-Tribune

Beginning next August, Indiana sixth-graders will take a semester of civics education aimed at giving them an understanding of the major principles, values and institutions of U.S. constitutional government.

Students will learn about civic virtues in a democracy and respect for the rights and dignity of all people and examine ways state and national governments impacts everyday life.

It’s an effort aimed at improving the state’s sagging civic health, which includes a voter turnout ranked among the lowest the in the country.

And it comes at the time that some say American democracy is threatened by regressive voting restrictions, the harassment of poll workers, and misinformation flooding social media. Locally, parents have squabbled at school board meetings over masks and gay rights.

The Indiana Bar Foundation spearheaded the initiative and the General Assembly approved its establishment last year.

The bipartisan measure created a state civic education commission and called for a required one semester civics class for middle schoolers in public schools and accredited private schools.

The task force made recommendations to the Indiana Department of Education, which formulated the standards. The State Board of Education approved them in June.

“Indiana is one of seven states in the country with a civics standalone middle school course,” said Charles Dunlap, an Indianapolis attorney and president and CEO of the Indiana Bar Association Foundation.

Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch chaired the statewide civics task force that developed recommendations for schools.

In the report’s introduction, she said the task force would shine a light on the importance of civic education and make sure Hoosiers have the tools needed to ensure democracy remains strong.

The task force heard testimony from civic education experts and Indiana teachers as it developed policy changes.

Teachers in local school districts are beginning to learn about the standards in sessions organized by the DOE.

A Duneland School Corp. official said nine teachers would attend a statewide training on Nov. 28 led by a social studies specialist with the DOE who will detail the new standards to help schools plan for next year.

Previously, Dunlap said civics was rolled into a semester of social studies that included other studies like geography. Teachers told the task force they felt they had little time to devote to civics lessons.

State Rep. Vernon Smith, D-Gary, endorsed the measure.

“We’re not singing patriotic songs anymore, all we’re doing is preparing students to take a test. The mission of schools has been to prepare better citizens,” said Smith, an educator and member of the House Education Committee.

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This story was provided to the News-Banner by the Hoosier State Press Association’s Information Network.