Indiana schools could award students a new excellence in civic engagement designation on their high school transcripts in coming years. SEA 211, which passed this year, requires the Indiana Department of Education to develop guidelines to determine how students can qualify.
The recognition was proposed by the IDOE as part of Indiana’s new graduation requirements.
The department could consider whether individual students volunteer and engage in their communities and complete coursework that covers topics like constitutional government, civil society and the democratic process.
State lawmakers emphasized the importance of a strong civics education this year during the legislative session. However, Rep. Vernon Smith (D-Gary) said the state could go further.
“I think that we should even add into here the teaching of patriotism again so that we become one nation as we should be, rather than a divided nation,” he said.
READ MORE: IDOE reveals first draft of high school graduation overhaul, set to take effect 2029
Join the conversation and sign up for the Indiana Two-Way. Text "Indiana" to 765-275-1120. Your comments and questions in response to our weekly text help us find the answers you need on statewide issues, including our project Civically, Indiana and our 2024 legislative bill tracker.
The civic engagement designation will appear on transcripts starting with the class of 2029.
Schools could earn their own designation for excellence in civics education if a certain number of students qualify for the civic engagement designation on their high school diplomas. IDOE will have recommendations for the civics education designation by Dec. 1, 2024.
Kirsten is our education reporter. Contact her at kadair@wfyi.org or follow her on Twitter at @kirsten_adair.