Public Education

Civics, Civility, and Collaboration in the Courtroom: What Makes a Good Judge?

This lesson introduces young students to what a judge is and what they do in court settings. Then it explores what qualities and skills a judge must possess and use in order to be effective. This discussion may be scaled up or down depending on students’ understanding. To facilitate discussion there are three prompts that may be used in any combination appropriate for students’ understanding.

The First Amendment, Protests, Community Safety, and Civility

During this lesson, students will explore various protests and public rallies and then review Supreme Court cases dealing with protests, civil rights, community safety and the First Amendment. Students then have an option to view a video on the power of protests for civil rights movements.

Should adults in our democracy participate in one year of mandatory national service?

This is a Structured Academic Deliberation that considers the question about mandatory national service. Students read a background report that draws from several sources, including the 2020 report, “Inspired to Serve,” from the National Commission on Military, National, and Public Service, and then consider arguments related to the question.

Moore v. Harper

Moore v. Harper The Elections Clause says that a state’s “Legislature” has authority to regulate federal elections, including drawing legislative maps for congressional districts. Legislative leaders and state officials argue …

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Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President and Fellows of Harvard College and Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. University of North Carolina

Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President and Fellows of Harvard College and Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. University of North Carolina Under Court precedents, institutions of higher education may use …

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Five Fun and Easy Ways to Engage in Civic Advocacy

When most people think of civic advocacy, they tend to picture those people who attend every single community meeting. Or those people you see being interviewed on television by your local newscaster. Or those people you see standing with picket signs in front of your City Hall. While it’s understandable that these are the first images that come to mind, you should be aware that these people are the ones who have dedicated a significant amount of their time and efforts to civil advocacy.

Cómo la ley le dio forma y continúa dándole forma a Estados Unidos de América Por Will A. Gunn

Considero que una de las fortalezas de los Estados Unidos de América es la apabullante mayoría de ciudadanos que apoya el concepto y el proceso de ser una nación que adhiere al imperio de la ley y a las normas. [1] Lo analicé de manera inconsciente, pero, en realidad, comencé a reflexionar abiertamente acerca de esto cuando me asignaron al Pentágono, unos meses después de los ataques del 11 de septiembre de 2001. En los pasillos del Pentágono, a veces me cruzaba con una placa que tenía una frase dicha por el presidente George W. Bush la tarde de ese 11 de septiembre. La placa decía: “Los ataques terroristas harán temblar los cimientos de nuestros edificios más grandes, pero no tocarán los cimientos de los Estados Unidos de América”.