In Support of Civic Education
WHEREAS, civic engagement is essential to maintaining our representative democracy; and
WHEREAS, many institutions help to develop Americans' knowledge of civics, but schools must prepare students for engaged citizenship essential to the well-being of our representative democracy; and
WHEREAS, thorough education in civics should be a core subject, including the role of the courts, beginning with well-defined state standards and curricular requirements; and
WHEREAS, well-designed classroom programs in civics education — including discussion of current events, as well as simulations of democratic and judicial branch processes and procedures — foster an understanding of fundamental constitutional principles;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Conference of Chief Justices calls upon each state to reinvigorate civic education in schools; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Conference encourages the judiciary of each state to lend its time and expertise to the efforts of policymakers, educators, and concerned citizens to strengthen and revitalize civic education.
Adopted as proposed by the Public Trust and Confidence in the Judiciary Committee of the Conference of Chief Justices at the 28th Midyear Meeting on January 26, 2005.