Civic Mission of Schools

Honoring the memory of the longtime Co-Chair of this Campaign, Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. A towering giant of the judiciary and great champion of civic education, founder of iCivics. To honor her legacy, consider a gift to www.icivics.org Her memory will be a blessing to all of us who had the honor of knowing her. Vaya Con Dios dear Justice O'Connor.

"But the most significant recommendation was to restore a sense of shared values and build public resilience against disinformation operations that come from foreign and domestic sources. The operations seek to convince Americans that there is more that divides us than unites us, democracy is irrevocably broken, and the individual is powerless to bring about effective change. Countering these meta narratives and building resilience requires reinvigorating civic education for students as well as the general public." Amen, Suzanne Spaulding and the ABA, Amen!

Reflections on Civics as a National Security Imperative When I stepped down in January 2017 as the Department of Homeland Security’s Under Secretary responsible for cybersecurity and critical infrastructure protection, the United States had just finished the 2016 election.

We Appreciate Every Teacher Every Day!! Especially the hard working Civics, History and Social Studies Teachers whose professional lives have been under assault by the ill-informed and cravenly self-interested for entirely too long! Thank a Teacher Today!!

Marginalization and lack of funding have consequences! "Scores in U.S. history and civics for eighth-graders are down across the U.S., according to recent results from the assessment known as the "Nation's Report Card." This year's history scores are the lowest recorded since the assessment began in 1994, and the new data mark the first-ever drop in civics."

History and civics scores drop for U.S. eighth-graders on national test On the "Nation's Report Card," history scores were the lowest ever, and civics showed the first decline ever.

"Politics are more divisive than ever. America is torn by social issues involving race, gender and wealth. Social media is a hotbed of impassioned opinions. Youth are more involved, they’re voting in greater numbers, and they are more visible as advocates and activists than ever before.
But the youngest generation seems to know less and less about their history and government."

‘A National Concern’: ​​Student Scores Decline on U.S. History and Civics Young people are more active in politics than ever. But their knowledge of history and government continues to decline.

A nearly three decade lack of attention and funding for a subject, plus recent politicization of history and civic education has consequences, grave consequences for our Republic! "In 2022, the average civics score for eighth-grade students was 2 points lower compared to 2018. The 2022 average score was not significantly different compared to 1998, the first civics assessment year."

NAEP Civics: Civics Highlights 2022 NAEP Civics: Civics Highlights 2022

"The Long Beach Unified School District unanimously approved a resolution to offer a state seal of civic engagement to high school graduates.
The seal will recognize students who are knowledgeable and actively participating in democratic and civic opportunities such as voting and speaking at board meetings. Upon completing the award, students can add the seal sticker to their diploma."

LBUSD graduates can apply for a state seal on their diploma fostering civic engagement - Signal Tribune The Long Beach Unified School District unanimously approved a resolution to offer a state seal of civic engagement to high school graduates.

"Students from across the nation are participating in two We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution national competitions on the U.S. Constitution on April 20-24 online and at the National Conference Center in Leesburg, Virginia. More than 1,000 students from schools ranging from Hawaii to Florida will test their knowledge of the Constitution and American government before panels of judges. One team will emerge as the national champion during the awards ceremony, which will be livestreamed on YouTube on Monday, April 24, at 8 p.m. ET."

The Center for Civic Education's Nationwide Competition on the Constitution Taking Place at National Conference Center Students from across the nation are participating in two We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution national competitions on the U.S. Constitution on April 20-24 online and at the National Conference Center in Leesburg, Virginia. More than 1,000 students from schools ranging from Hawaii to Flor...

"Retired Florida Supreme Court Justice Fred Lewis is being honored with the ABA’s 2022 Burnham “Hod” Greeley Award, that recognizes those who “significantly and positively” impact public understanding of the judiciary’s role in a democratic society and its importance to the rule of law.

Known as the “education justice,” Justice Lewis visited K-12 classrooms monthly throughout his tenure on the Florida Supreme Court. The visits included engaging in constitutional and court-related activities and simulations. Teaching students at all grade levels, Lewis explored the Bill of Rights with elementary students, conducted mock appellate hearings with high school students, and helped middle school students understand basic principles of the rule of law, judicial review, due process, and other standards-based concepts through landmark Supreme Court case studies."

Former Justice Fred Lewis honored for his commitment to civics education Retired Florida Supreme Court Justice Fred Lewis is being honored with the ABA’s 2022 Burnham “Hod” Greeley Award, that recognizes those who “significantly and positively” impact public understanding of the judiciary’s role in a democratic society and its importance to the rule of law. K...

"These “anti-CRT” and “divisive concept” laws make teachers afraid to talk openly about the history of race and racism in this country, which will leave gaps to fill in years to come. As many have pointed out, a lack of accurate history harms all students. I want to offer my perspective as a white woman who, like many other white people, grew up without exposure to accurate information about race and American history until later in life. I use it to underscore why white children, in particular, need more information about race and American history, not less. "

White students need more information about race and racism, not less It’s not about making white children ‘feel bad.’ It’s about teaching them how to build a better future.

"To seize this very real opportunity for coalition-building in the ideological heartland, we must overcome the collective illusions concerning our divisions. We can forge a new K-12 political coalition of domestic realists who have a practical set of governing ideas based on everyday concerns shared by most Americans."

There’s More to K-12 Education Than the Culture Wars Many believe strong political divisions and the culture wars are driving K-12 education. But while partisan lines certainly exist, focusing on these divisions distorts what post-pandemic Americans actually think about and want from K-12 education. Surprisingly, most Americans—of all ages and polit...