Indiana Governor Mike Braun has signed a new law requiring public schools to include instruction on the “success sequence” as part of their good citizenship curriculum. The bill, sponsored by Representative Martin Carbaugh (R-81), aims to introduce students to a set of life milestones that research suggests can lead to improved outcomes.
Jonathan Butcher, acting director and Will Skillman senior research fellow in the Center for Education Policy at The Heritage Foundation, commented on the legislation. “State lawmakers who prioritize the success sequence in public school curriculum are meeting the moment and considering the cultural component of our students’ success in life. These provisions don’t cast moral judgments but provide instruction on a proven pathway for students.
“Students who finish high school, get a job or enroll in college, and get married before having children experience better outcomes than those who do not. Children raised in stable married families are far more likely to achieve positive outcomes, including avoiding poverty, improving mental health, and living longer.”
Butcher also noted changes related to higher education admissions. “Furthermore, by calling on universities to accept scores on the Classic Learning Test as an admissions test, lawmakers are giving families and students more options in higher education. This test is more rigorous than the SAT and ACT and is a welcome addition to the list of assessment alternatives.”
The Heritage Foundation has previously highlighted research supporting the success sequence through various publications and events.
Heritage congratulated Rep. Carbaugh and Indiana families following the passage of this proposal.
Recent discussions have focused on empowering students with strategies for long-term achievement both academically and personally. The success sequence model has been presented as an approach that may help chart positive paths for young people entering adulthood.
