Hoosier History Live is an independently produced new media project about Indiana history, integrating podcasts, website www.HoosierHistoryLive.org, weekly enewsletter, and social media. Its original content comes initially from a live with call in weekly talk radio show hosted by author and historian Nelson Price. You can hear the show live Saturdays from noon to 1 pm ET at WICR 88.7 fm or stream the show live at the WICR HD1 app on your phone, or at our website.

April 06, 2024

Civic education: The need for a refresh

Surveys in recent years often have found more than 25 percent of Hoosier respondents did not know the name of the governor, according to a Ball State University professor quoted in a recent Indianapolis Star article.

Does that sound alarming?

Well, efforts are underway to increase civic understanding both by the general public and by students at Indiana schools. In a joint project, the Indiana Bar Foundation and the Indiana Chamber of Commerce are publishing an updated book, Here is Your Indiana Government, to enhance understanding; it can be downloaded for free by the general public at https://www.inbarfoundation.org/indianagovernmentbook/ and is being made available to Indiana schools (and their libraries) ranging from elementary schools to high schools.

During our show, Nelson's guests will share about ways that people can get involved in public affairs; projects to enhance civic understanding, and Bar Foundation-supported programs such as We the People and Mock Trial. We also will share various intriguing "Indiana facts" featured in the updated civics book. They include some that are obscure or quirky such as:

• In what Indiana city is it illegal to throw a snowball in city limits? Tune in for the answer.

• Who is the only elected county official with the authority to arrest a sheriff? Hint: It's probably not the office holder you would have assumed.

• And tomato juice was invented at what famous site in Indiana?

For this exploration of the ways that civic education is being enhanced, Nelson will be joined in studio by Tim Kalgreen, director of civic education at the nonprofit Indiana Bar Foundation, and Kara Kavenksy, the organizing editor for "Here Is Your Indiana Government".

During our show, Tim will share details about programs such as Mock Trial that helps high school students enhance their understanding of the court system. A competitive program, Mock Trial has students assume the roles of attorneys, including prosecutors, and witnesses. Tim emphasizes that Mock Trial and other programs such as We the People are "interdisciplinary, authentic learning, inquiry based and build life skills like critical thinking, collaboration and communication".

The updated "Here Is Your Indiana Government" book includes chapters about the governments of cities, towns and counties. During our show, Kara will explain the distinction that Indiana makes between a "city" and a "town". She says that, at the elementary school level, civics often has been included for sixth graders as part of social studies, but increasingly has become a stand-alone unit. 

As for the place in Indiana where it's illegal to throw a snowball within the city limits: Coincidentally (or not), it's an Indiana city that's known for getting plenty of snow.

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