Senate committee debates civics bill aimed at ‘fostering American identity’; holds measure for a week

Senate Bill 257, a proposal to direct how K–12 teachers present the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution and related civic materials, drew extensive debate and public testimony Wednesday in the Indiana Senate Education and Career Development Committee and was held for one week for technical follow-up.

The bill’s sponsor, Senator Michael Geary, told the committee the legislation is intended to ensure civics instruction “fosters an American identity rooted in the aspirational and universal principles of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution,” and to guard against what he described as lesson plans that teach students the “malicious men” framework — the idea that the founders deliberately designed government to protect privilege.

Supporters told the committee they want a common civic baseline in schools funded by taxpayers and a process for parents who object to classroom instruction. Cindy Long, assistant executive director of the Indiana Association of School Principals, said Indiana’s academic standards already require rigorous civics instruction and principals follow…