The Indiana Chamber of Commerce and Indiana Bar Foundation have teamed up to bring the importance of civics for young Hoosiers to the forefront. The 40th edition of the Here Is Your Indiana Government book — previously published exclusively by the Indiana Chamber — is now complimentary via an electronic guide and specifically designed to help teach to civics and government standards for grades four through 12.
The publication, which is still relevant for the general public and business community, is a resource to educate readers about the structure of Indiana government. This includes nearly 250 pages of content, including charts, photos, historical information and interesting Indiana facts.
“We’re excited to bring back this staple of our publications division. Increasing civic engagement for all Hoosiers is one of the goals of the Indiana Chamber’s new long-range visioning plan for the state called Indiana Prosperity 2035,” said Indiana Chamber President and CEO Vanessa Green Sinders. “For decades, Indiana students have been educated through this book and we’re pleased to make it even more impactful by meeting current educational standards regarding civics.”
The overhaul of the publication coincides with a new Indiana law now in effect that every middle school student must take one semester of civics education (in advance of the high school government requirement).
Indiana Bar Foundation President and CEO Charles Dunlap echoes Sinders’ enthusiasm about this collaboration.
“The Foundation is excited to be a part of the Here Is Your Indiana Government resource book,” he said. “This will be an outstanding tool for educators around the state to help learn and teach about state and local government. Hoosier students and educators are getting a top-notch resource to help better understand our government.”
The PDF of Here Is Your Indiana Government: 2024-2025 Edition can be downloaded at no cost at www.inbarfoundation.org/IndianaGovernmentBook. Hard copies of the publication will also be available for sale at www.indianachamber.com/here. (The book will be printed in March and pre-orders are currently being taken.)
The book is sponsored by Church Church Hittle and Antrim, Indiana Civics Coalition and the IU Center for Representative Government.
The timing of “Here Is…” also aligns with the deadline for young Hoosier students to take part in the first-ever Indiana Civics Bee. To do so, a student must submit a 500-word essay to a participating local chamber by February 19 with their ideas for improving their community and showing their enthusiasm for civics. The top three winners from each local event will advance to compete in the Indiana Civics Bee on Aug. 23 at the Statehouse in Indianapolis. The program is hosted by the Indiana Chamber and Indiana Department of Education. The state finalist winner will have the opportunity to compete this fall in Washington D.C. at the National Civics Bee.
