‘Success Sequence’ bill seeks to make better citizens & reduce child poverty

The recently passed “Success Sequence” bill, requiring school instruction on being married before having children and other required topics, is geared towards implementing scientific discoveries on methods of reduction of child poverty.

Indiana now requires public schools to incorporate in its instruction the importance of 1) obtaining at least a high school diploma and acquiring additional training in preparation for the work force; 2) securing full time employment; and 3) waiting until marriage to begin having children.

Indiana law previously required other good citizenship instruction. Good citizenship instruction is defined to mean integrating instruction into the current school curriculum and it stresses the nature and importance of various items:

1. Being honest and truthful.
2. Respecting authority.
3. Respecting the property rights of others.
4. Always doing the student’s personal best.
5. Not stealing.
6. Possessing the skills, including methods of conflict resolution, necessary to live peaceably in society and not resorting to violence to settle disputes.
7. Taking personal responsibility for obligations to family and community.
8. Taking personal responsibility for earning a livelihood.
9. Treating others the way the student would want to be treated.
10. Respecting the national flag and the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Indiana.
11. Respecting the student’s parents and home.
12. Respecting the student’s self.
13. Respecting the rights of others to have their own views and religious beliefs.

The Department of Education is directed to make models of conflict resolution instruction to school corporations.

Beginning with the 2026/2027 school year, the civics education course must include:

1. Instruction on the roles and responsibilities of federal, state, and local governments.
2. The structures, powers, and functions of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government.
3. The meaning and significance of historical documents including the Ten Commandments, Magna Carta, Mayflower Compact, Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, Constitution of the United States Bill of Rights, and the Federalist Papers.
4. The principles of federalism, separation of powers, checks and balances, consent of the governed, ordered liberty, justice, the rule of law, limited government, natural rights, republicanism, and the equal dignity of all human beings.
5. Individual rights and responsibilities under the Constitution of the United States including the express, implied, concurrent, and reserve powers.
6. The electoral process and democratic participation.
7. A comparative discussion of political ideologies including communism and totalitarianism that conflict with the principles of freedom and democracy that are essential to the founding principles of the United States.

Sounds like Hoosier kids need to understand the rules that God laid out for human behavior and our wonderful Constitution.

Ray Adler is a longtime attorney with offices at The Adler Building, 136 S. 9th St., Downtown Noblesville. He is also one of the owners of The Hamilton County Reporter Newspaper.