Indiana Legal Help announces transition as an independent nonprofit
Indiana Legal Help has announced it is transitioning to become an independent nonprofit organization, breaking away from the Indiana Bar Foundation.
Civics education
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The path to citizenship: Changes to exam may create more hurdles, advocates say
The process of becoming a naturalized United States citizen can be a lengthy one, with applications to submit, interviews to complete, fees to pay and the citizenship test. The test consists of three main parts that may soon see some changes.
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Web Exclusive: The Indiana Bar Foundation Civics Summit is in the rearview. What’s next?
The inaugural Indiana Bar Foundation Civics Summit featured speakers, panel discussions and historical documents. The day culminated with the announcement of the Indiana Civics Coalition that will help with the rollout of a new sixth-grade civics class.
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Courthouse curriculum: New learning center will tell the story of Southern Indiana District Court
To help explain the significance of what school children and adults see, a project is underway to create a space within the Southern Indiana District Court building that will teach about the third branch of government. The Federal Court Learning Center will showcase some of the artifacts from the Southern Indiana District as well as feature informational displays and interactive exhibits. Visitors will learn how the federal judiciary works, how it is different from the state courts and the roles citizens play in the judicial process.
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Public health crisis forces delay, changes in Indiana vote
The decision to postpone Indiana’s primary election was met with bipartisan approval and raised hopes the state will be encouraged to permanently expand access to absentee voting.
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Articles
Indiana Bar Foundation to host annual civics summit in April
The Indiana Bar Foundation will be hosting its Civics Summit next month, with National Constitution Center CEO Jeffrey Rosen as the keynote speaker.
Indiana Bar Foundation expands mock election program for students
The Indiana Bar Foundation announce the launch of the Indiana Kids Election Wednesday. The program is a way to teach students about voting by participating in a mock election process.
Judges to visit schools to celebrate Constitution Day
Judges from across the state will be visiting schools on and around Constitution Day to celebrate the 237th anniversary of the U.S. Constitution being signed.
Who votes? Here’s who decides Indiana’s elections
It’s a small percentage of people, particularly in Indiana, which ranked second-last in the country for turnout in the 2022 election.
Appellate court and Indiana Bar Foundation to participate in Civic Learning Week
The Indiana Court of Appeals and Indiana Bar Foundation have partnered for the national Civic Learning Week March 11-15.
Indiana Chamber, Bar Foundation partner to produce free civics book
For almost four decades, the Indiana Chamber of Commerce has published the “Here is Your Indiana Government” book as a resource for civic engagement and education. Now, the chamber is partnering with the Indiana Bar Foundation to produce the publication.
Report stresses need to boost voter registration ahead of 2024 election: 2023 civic health index shows continued lag in Hoosiers’ voting practices
Indiana’s struggles with voter registration and turnout are nothing new.
Indiana voter registration, turnout continue to lag as 2024 primary, general elections near
There are a lot of areas where Hoosiers could make strides in improving the state’s civic health, but Indiana’s voter registration numbers continue to be the most significant problem.
Hamilton Southeastern HS, Fishers Junior High School named champions at annual We the People competition
A pair of Hamilton County schools won the Indiana Bar Foundation’s High School and Middle School We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution state championships, held earlier in December.
We the People finals bringing 600+ middle, high school students to Indy next week
The 2023 Indiana Bar Foundation’s We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution State Finals returns to Indianapolis next week, as students from across the state gather to display their constitutional knowledge.
Supreme Court, Southern District announce new summer program for high school students
The Supreme Court Historical Society and the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana are launching a new program, “The Supreme Court and My Hometown,” for Indianapolis-area high school students.
Educators go ‘behind the curtain’ for civics crash-course on Indiana judiciary
A dozen social studies teachers from across the state traveled to the Indiana Statehouse on Wednesday to get a behind-the-scenes look at the judiciary and fresh ideas on civics education.
COA hears arguments on motion to suppress as part of ‘Behind the Curtain’ event
As part of a daylong event designed to increase educators’ understanding of the Indiana judicial branch, the Court of Appeals of Indiana on Wednesday heard arguments in a case involving the admission of evidence collected during a traffic stop.
Teens learn what it’s like to be on a jury through Point Theater production
The two casts of The Point Theater’s “12 Angry Jurors” got the chance to visit a real courtroom and jury deliberation room and learned more about what it’s like to be a real juror in the courtroom.
COA hosts all day civics event for social studies teachers in partnership with bar foundation
The Court of Appeals of Indiana is partnering with the Indiana Bar Foundation next week to host “Behind the Curtain: The Judicial Branch,” a civics program designed for Indiana teachers.
Indiana business leaders form coalition to boost civic engagement
Some of Indiana’s largest employers are coming together to address what they call the state’s neglect of civic education, its declining college-going rate and a low voter registration and turnout rate compared with other states.
‘Genuinely moving’: Retired Chief Justice Shepard honored by bar foundation, Indiana Landmarks
Former Indiana Chief Justice Randall Shepard has found himself walking up to more stages recently, posing briefly for a photo with his most recent award before stepping to a microphone, pulling notes from his pocket and starting in on a speech.
5 Indiana schools to participate in We the People nationals this week
Students from five Indiana schools will be participating in the national “We the People: The Citizen and on the Constitution” competitions that begin this week.
‘It’s kind of my job’: Judges, lawyers talk about legal community’s role in civics
A panel of attorneys and judges discussed the legal community’s role in increasing civic engagement and education Thursday during the Indiana Bar Foundation Civics Summit.