By LAURA HAMMACK, guest columnist
Recently, I was asked to join a very exciting task force to study instructional methodologies and innovative programming that positively advance civics education across the state of Indiana. Chaired by Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch, this task force will ultimately be developing recommendations to advance Indiana’s overall civic health.
The development of this task force was a result of a recommendation established within the 2019 Indiana Civic Health Index. This report is a fascinating analysis of civic engagement across the state while comparing our data to national indicators.
One example highlighted in the report is that Indiana ranks 43rd in the nation for voter turnout rate. Surely, we can do better, and this task force intends to address the same.
In preparing for the first convening of this task force, I studied the 2019 Indiana Civic Health Index. I was surprised by some findings and am challenged by others. In either case, after reading this report, my passion for advancing civics education has never been stronger.
The report stated that almost 93 percent of Hoosiers indicated that they eat dinner with their families a few times a week or more. The national average is 87.8 percent. We are ranked third in the nation for this indicator. This statistic affirms that social connectivity within the family is extremely important and a foundation to the lives of individuals living in Indiana.
Indiana also ranks quite high in regards to civic engagement with other social networks including friends and neighbors. It is reported that 44 percent of Hoosiers discuss political, societal or local issues with family and friends. This is above the national average of 39 percent and places Indiana 12th in the nation for this indicator.
Thirteen percent of Indiana’s population reported contacting or visiting a public official in any layer of government (local, state or national). This was an improvement from earlier data and translates to 24th in the nation. There is a substantial discrepancy in this data when disaggregated by educational attainment. Citizens with a bachelor’s degree or higher have a 26.7 percent contact rate, whereas individuals with a high school diploma participated at a rate of 7.8 percent. There is a similar distribution when disaggregated for income.
While there are many other indicators that deserve your attention, the last I will highlight is voting and voter registration. While there was a national decline in for voting and voter registration when 2016 data was compared to 2012, Indiana’s decline more than doubled the national rate. It is statistics like these where a call to action resonates.
I will be serving on this task force under the direction of our lieutenant governor and alongside the Indiana Secretary of State, a member of the Indiana Supreme Court, Indiana Bar Foundation, Indiana Chamber of Commerce, members of our legislature, deans of institutions of higher learning, a teacher, and little old me. I told the organizer of the program that I totally understood if he needed to place me at the “kids’ table!”
All kidding aside, it is an honor to represent Brown County on this critically important task force. Clearly, the work of our educators through programs like We the People and National History Day is getting attention. I can’t tell you how honored I am to share the great things that are happening in the best little school system in the state of Indiana with this esteemed group of statewide leaders.
I will keep you posted on the progress of our work within this task force. I am excited about the possibilities and am deeply committed to the cause. Increased civics education in our schools and across our society is an investment in our democracy — one that is sure to reap dividends in the future.
If you are interested in reading the report referenced above, search for “2019 Indiana Civic Health Index.”
Laura Hammack is superintendent of Brown County schools. She can be reached at 812-988-6601 or [email protected].
