Board of Education approves new science, civics standards

The Indiana State Board of Education has approved new K-12 Indiana Academic Standards in science and computer science. In addition, the board also approved academic standards for a new middle school civics course.

The state’s new science standards include an increased focus on supporting active student engagement in science learning. The board says the new science standards “reflect science as it is practiced and experienced in the real world” and focus on deeper understanding and content application.

Indiana’s civics standards will support a new civics class that students will take during the second semester of sixth grade. The board says the standards focus on instructing students on the foundations of government, functions of government and the role of citizens.

The new science and civics standards will be effective in schools by the 2023-2024 school year.