Writing in the Indianapolis Star (July 28, 2022), NCSE's Deputy Director Glenn Branch praised the treatment of climate change in the state's new science standards. "Climate change wasn't adequately explained in the old standards," he observed, while the new standards address climate change along the lines of the Next Generation Science Standards.
But, he added, "Now that the state is expecting its public school educators to teach about climate change more extensively and thoroughly than ever before, it will be necessary to ensure that they are prepared to meet the increased demands of the new standards." He urged Indiana to emulate Washington, California, and Maine in passing legislation "to provide curriculum and professional development specifically focused" on climate change.
"Indiana’s climate is already changing," Branch concluded. "It is encouraging that science education in Indiana is on its way to changing as well. But it is necessary for the state to follow through on its commitment to improve science education by ensuring that its teachers are ready, willing, and able to teach climate change effectively."
