Ball State is proud to announce the launch of CREATE250: Expanding the Civic Promise for All, a statewide expansion of the University’s successful CREATE initiative, led by the Center for Economic and Civic Learning (CECL).
Supported by a multi-year, $1.76 million award from the U.S. Department of Education, CREATE250 will build a statewide community of practice for K-12 educators -particularly those serving Title I schools- and culminate in Semiquincentennial (America250) learning experiences and events for teachers and students across Indiana.
“CREATE250 will help Indiana educators bring America’s founding ideals to life for every student, especially in schools with the fewest resources,” said Dr. David J. Roof, principal investigator and CECL director. “We’ve seen exceptional learning gains in our partner district; now we’ll scale those results statewide and mark America250 with hands-on civic learning that builds knowledge, belonging, and agency.”
Purpose-built for the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary, CREATE250 pairs close study of the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, Bill of Rights, and Federalist Papers with community-based civic practice and student showcases. The initiative moves beyond traditional, one-time professional development by providing a sustained, statewide pathway for Title I educators—connecting teacher-led civic learning to visible student outcomes through an evidence-based model.
“Teachers tell us they need rigorous content, practical tools, and a supportive network,” said Dr. Anand R. Marri, co-principal investigator and Ball State’s provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. “CREATE250 delivers all three—primary-source study of the founding documents, deliberative pedagogy, and year-round communities of practice—so high-quality civics becomes part of the fabric of Indiana’s schools.”
The original CREATE initiative, implemented in Muncie Community Schools, documented substantial learning gains from baseline to Spring 2025. Civic proficiency rose from 39 percent to 83 percent overall, including growth from 48 percent to 76 percent in Grade 5 and from 46 percent to 83 percent in Grade 8. In high school, NAEP-aligned civic knowledge increased from 40 percent to 56 percent, alongside notable improvements in students’ intentions to vote, collaborate, and contribute to their communities. CREATE delivered 7,000-plus hours of professional development to more than 400 educators, exceeded 12 of 13 performance benchmarks, and earned statewide recognition.
CREATE250 builds on these results and prioritizes Title I participation. The program will include summer academies, primary-source seminars, historical field studies, and year-round communities of practice for hundreds of educators, with a goal of reaching 1,000 by 2028. Participants will engage deeply with America’s founding documents, apply deliberation protocols, and use NAEP-aligned assessments to track student growth. Students will take part in mock elections, civic-inquiry projects, museum and archival learning experiences, and a statewide America250 showcase of student work.
Augusta Isley, Associate Director for Pre-Award Development and Outreach at Ball State played a central role in guiding the CREATE250 proposal from concept to completion. Her experience, expertise, and attention to detail were a key element of the success of the proposal.
The CREATE250 project team reflects the interdisciplinary strength of Ball State. Led by Dr. David J. Roof, Principal Investigator and Director of the Center for Economic and Civic Learning, and Dr. Anand R. Marri, Co-Principal Investigator and Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, the team includes Dr. Michael Ndemanu (Director of Outreach), Dr. Jill Bradley-Levine (Director of Leadership and Curriculum), Kate Elliott (Director of Media Literacy), and Melissa Gentry (Civic Mapping and Public History Consultant). A full-time Project Manager will coordinate day-to-day operations, connecting faculty, K–12 educators, and community partners statewide. Together, this team represents a blend of scholarship, civic leadership, and community engagement, united by a shared commitment to advancing civic learning across Indiana.
The initiative launches with a broad coalition of partners, including Muncie Community Schools, the Indiana Bar Foundation, and the Community-Engaged Alliance.
The project received letters of support from U.S. Rep. Victoria Spartz and U.S. Sen. Todd Young, reflecting broad recognition of the importance of strengthening civic readiness across Indiana.
By expanding the reach of evidence-based civic learning, CREATE250 advances state and national priorities for American History and Civics Education. The initiative reflects Ball State’s continued leadership in innovative, community-engaged education—empowering teachers and students alike to explore the nation’s founding principles and apply them in meaningful, modern contexts.
For more information contact Dr. Roof at djroof@bsu.edu