PETITION TO THE INDIANA GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGARDING MANDATORY CIVICS EDUCATION

FOCUSING ON CONSTITUTIONAL PREAMBLES FOR K-12 STUDENTS

 

To the Honorable Members of the Indiana General Assembly,

The Speaker of the House of Representatives,

The President Pro Tempore of the Senate,

The Indiana Department of Education,

The Chairs and Members of the House Education Committee,

The Senate Education and Career Development Committee:

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We, the undersigned citizens and residents of the State of Indiana, including members and supporters of True the Ballot, respectfully petition the Indiana General Assembly to enact legislation making it mandatory for all K-12 public schools in Indiana to incorporate civics education into their curriculum, with a specific focus on the content of the Preambles to the United States Constitution and the Indiana Constitution.

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Whereas, the Preamble to the United States Constitution establishes the foundational principles of forming a more perfect Union, establishing Justice, insuring domestic Tranquility, providing for the common defense, promoting the general Welfare, and securing the Blessings of Liberty; and

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Whereas, the Preamble to the Indiana Constitution affirms the establishment of justice, maintenance of public order, and perpetuation of liberty, while expressing gratitude to Almighty God for the free exercise of the right to choose our form of government; and

 

Whereas, a strong civics education is essential for fostering informed, engaged, and responsible citizens who understand the principles underlying our democratic republic, but current standards, while including civics and government as a domain in the Indiana Academic Standards for Social Studies, do not sufficiently emphasize reflection upon or demonstration of understanding of these preambular principles across all grade levels; and

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Whereas, such a requirement would promote principled citizenship, enhance public trust in democratic institutions, and align with existing mandatory curriculum under Indiana Code Title 20, Article 30, Chapter 5, without imposing undue burdens, as it builds upon current civics requirements (e.g., the semester-long middle school civics course and high school instruction on constitutions) and allows flexibility in implementation; and

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Whereas, this measure would apply to all public schools serving Indiana students in grades K-12, and would be administered by the Indiana Department of Education as part of the standards development and curriculum oversight process (e.g., via an amendment to IC 20-30-5 adding a new section requiring integration of Preamble-focused civics education into required social studies courses);

 

Now, therefore, we petition the Indiana General Assembly to introduce, consider, and pass legislation during the upcoming session to amend Indiana Code Title 20 as follows (suggested language for illustrative purposes; final drafting to be handled by the Legislative Services Agency):

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Add a new section to IC 20-30-5, such as IC 20-30-5-7.6, stating: "Each public school corporation in Indiana shall incorporate civics education into the curriculum for students in grades kindergarten through 12, with a specific focus on the principles outlined in the Preambles to the United States Constitution and the Indiana Constitution. This education shall include age-appropriate instruction, activities, and assessments designed to promote understanding and commitment to these foundational principles. The Indiana Department of Education shall develop or update standardized curriculum guidelines and resources within one year of enactment, ensuring they are neutral, non-partisan, and integrated with existing social studies standards, including the required middle school civics course and high school constitution studies."

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This legislation should direct the Indiana Department of Education to make the curriculum guidelines publicly available on its website and provide training resources for educators, enabling circulation and adoption among all civically concerned Indiana citizens, including parents, teachers, and community organizations.

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We urge deliberative action to strengthen Indiana's educational integrity and ensure that future generations are mindful of our constitutional foundations.

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Respectfully submitted,