State Rep. Tony Cook’s (R-Cicero) bill that would incorporate civics education into Hoosier students’ middle school curriculum recently passed out of the Indiana House of Representatives.
Cook, a former government and economics teacher, said his proposal would require students to take at least one semester of a civics course in grades 6, 7 or 8.
Cook
“We know our democracy depends on Hoosiers’ civic engagement in every level of government,” Cook said. “While high school students typically take a government course their senior year, it is never too soon to start learning about our civic duties. Through this course, our goal is to ensure students understand the importance of participating in the democratic process.”
House Bill 1384 would task the Indiana Department of Education and State Board of Education to develop standards for civics education.
According to Cook, the legislation comes out of the Civic Education Task Force, which was responsible for specific, actionable, recommendations based on research and ideas from around the country and state. Cook was appointed by House Speaker Todd Huston (R-Fishers) to serve in this body last year with Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, Indiana Supreme Court Chief Justice Loretta Rush, Indiana Secretary of State Connie Lawson, and three other legislators.
House Bill 1384 now heads to the Senate for further consideration. For more information, visit iga.in.gov.