Indiana Social Studies IS.1.26

Social StudiesGrades 9–12History

The Standard

Summarize and assess the various actions which characterized the early struggle for civil rights and racial equality in Indiana.

2026 Indiana Academic Standards: K-12 Social Studies · Post-War Indiana: 1945 to 1960

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students describe how people in Indiana pushed for racial equality from 1945 to 1960. They explain what actions changed, and where discrimination continued.
What Mastery Looks Like: A student can explain how NAACP organizing and Indiana's 1949 school desegregation law addressed unequal schooling. They can use evidence to judge why a new law did not guarantee equal access right away.
Common Misconceptions: Students may assume the 1949 law integrated every school immediately. They may also think civil rights struggles happened only in Southern states.
How to Assess It: Exit ticket: Name two actions taken for racial equality in Indiana between 1945 and 1960. Use one fact from today's source cards to explain a result or limit of one action.

Lesson moves

Give groups cards on NAACP organizing, the 1949 school law, and school district responses; have them arrange the cards and label each action's effect.
Ask students to write: Did passing a school desegregation law mean Indiana students had equal schooling? Support your answer with a source card.
Play claim check: pairs correct cards such as 'The 1949 law integrated every Indiana school immediately' using their source cards.
Compare a local school district's current equal opportunity statement with a summary of the 1949 law; list what each promises and how to check it.

Free download

A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to IS.1.26, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.

PDF, US Letter, prints cleanly in black and white.

Keep exploring

Grade, subject, topic, and the complete standard are prefilled. Create one free, no account needed.