California's 28th Chief Justice was sworn into office on January 3, 2011. She brought with her a strong commitment to mentoring, leading, and advocating for younger generations.
California Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye
This timeline tracks the evolution of the Chief Justice's Civic Learning Initiative—how it was started and what it means for our democracy in California and throughout the U.S.
Civic Learning Initiative
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Chief Justice Appointment
2011-01-04 16:51:56
2011-01-04 16:51:56
Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye becomes the 28th Chief Justice of California, with more than 20 years on state trial and appellate courts, including 6 years on the Court of Appeal, Third Appellate District, in Sacramento.
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Chief Justice Engages with State Dept of Education
2012-10-20 00:00:00
2012-10-20 00:00:00
Within her first year as leader of the state judicial branch, the Chief Justice commits to promoting civic learning in public schools.
In partnership with the State Superintendent of Public Schools, Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye creates the Civic Learning Awards for California public high schools. The Chief Justice visits the 3 top award winning schools.
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Welcoming Students to the Supreme Court
2013-02-06 00:10:50
2013-02-06 00:10:50
More than 100 students from Sacramento's McClatchy High School travel to San Francisco for oral arguments and a Q&A session with the Chief.
The opportunity is part of the California Supreme Court’s ongoing outreach and education effort, and part of the Chief Justice's month-long focus on civic learning. Students ask questions about the work of the Court and about the Chief Justice's career path to the bench.
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Balboa High School Welcomes Chief Justice
2013-02-13 16:51:56
2013-02-13 16:51:56
The Chief Justice’s trip to Balboa High School was a follow-up to the Law Academy’s visit to the California Supreme Court’s oral arguments on Feb. 5 at the University of San Francisco’s School of Law.
Sitting on the auditorium stage with Balboa Law Academy students, the Chief Justice said, “It’s a joy to my heart to see so many of you who look so much like me when I was in high school and with my friends. Given the option to stay after school for an event like this, I’m not too sure my friends and I would have come. So, I’m grateful you’re here.”
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Reaching Out to Law Students
2013-02-15 00:00:00
2013-02-15 00:00:00
The Chief Justice incorporates visits to law schools during her month-long awareness campaign and travels to La Verne College of Law.
“You have such potential to do anything, whether it’s in government, politics, business, pro bono, the law,” she said in an on-stage interview.
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Civic Learning California Summit
2013-02-28 00:00:00
2013-02-28 00:00:00
The Chief Justice is joined by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor (Ret.), and state leaders.
“We hope this summit raises awareness about the important role and need to improve civic learning so Californians fully understand how our democracy works,” said Chief Justice Cantil-Sakauye.
The Chief Justice welcomes recipients of the first annual Civic Learning Award of Excellence to attend.
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Chief Justice Establishes the California Task Force on Civic Learning
2013-02-28 00:00:00
2013-02-28 00:00:00
The Chief Justice and State Superintendent announce the formation of a joint statewide task force charged with making recommendations for elevating the status of civics in California K-12 schools.
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1st Annual Civic Learning Award Announcement
2013-02-28 00:00:00
2013-02-28 00:00:00
Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye and Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson announces 22 winners of the new Civic Learning Award. The awards, presented at the Civic Learning Summit, celebrate successful efforts to engage California public high school students in civic learning and spotlight replicable models for other schools.
“It’s exciting to see how the most creative educators help students learn the workings of government and how they can engage with it,” said Chief Justice Cantil-Sakauye.
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Chief Names Power of Democracy Steering Committee
2013-07-01 00:00:00
2019-07-01 00:00:00
Committee is appointed by the Chief Justice to guide and support related initiatives, including the work of the K-12 Task Force and the Civic Learning Awards for California Public Schools. Justice McConnell is named chair.
“Democracy is a use-it-or-lose-it proposition,” Cantil-Sakauye said.
“California is complicated, and there are challenges we must face every day to maintain a living, thriving democracy. Democracy is the key to perpetual freedom. In order to secure the rights to that future, we have to be civically engaged.”
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Chief-Appointed Task Force on Civic Learning Presents Findings
2014-08-01 00:00:00
2014-08-01 00:00:00
“California’s current civics classes emphasize memorization over participatory skills,” and relies on a 12th-grade government course that comes too late for students already disengaged from school.
The task force receives more 600 comments on their draft report. The final report is aptly named a Blueprint for Revitalizing Civic Education in California.
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NBC4's News Interview of Chief Justice on Civics
2015-01-25 00:00:00
2015-01-25 00:00:00
In January 2015, Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye joins Conan Nolan on News Conference, where she highlights the importance of civics, and why it is of special interest to her as leader of the state judicial branch.
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Civic Learning Partnerships
2015-02-03 16:51:56
2015-02-03 16:51:56
First Civic Learning Partnership meets in Butte County to promote recommendations of the Civic Learning Task Force Report in their local community.
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Pat Brown Institute Honors Chief Justice
2015-04-15 16:51:56
2015-04-15 16:51:56
The Chief Justice is honored by the Pat Brown Institute of Public Affairs for bringing public attention to the crisis in civic education in the public schools.
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"The Power of Civics Education"
2015-07-10 00:00:00
2015-07-10 00:00:00
The California State PTA invites Chief Justice Cantil-Sakauye to share her thoughts around civic engagement.
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Chief Justice Recognized for Public Service
2016-04-25 00:00:00
2016-04-25 00:00:00
The 2016 Brody Distinguished Judicial Service Award recognizes the Chief Justice for her leadership in the development of several outreach programs aimed at engaging youth in civic learning and democracy.
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2016 Civic Learning Awards
2016-05-03 00:00:00
2016-05-03 00:00:00
In accordance with the K-12 Task Force report, the 2016 award program expands to include recognition of all grade levels.
This year’s awards showcase the excellent civic education being done in elementary and middle schools.
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State Board of Education approves greater focus on Civics
2016-07-14 00:00:00
2016-07-14 00:00:00
On July 14, the State Board of Education approved a new California History Social Science Framework–last updated in 2001– that includes greater focus on civic learning in elementary through high school.
"With the new History-Social Science Framework, our state has taken a major step forward in providing all students with the knowledge and skills they need to participate in civic life."
—Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye
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Civic Learning Summit 2.0
2017-02-01 00:00:00
2017-02-01 00:00:00
Civic learning advocates, including U.S. Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy, joins Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye for Civic Learning Summit 2.0. Civic Learning Partnerships also expands to 15 counties.
An afternoon session is held at the Third District Court of Appeal, where emerging county civic Learning Partnerships, co-led by judicial officers, networked with existing partnerships.
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Video: Civic Learning Initiative
2017-05-04 00:00:00
2017-05-04 00:00:00
Educators and students join the Chief Justice in a video highlighting the importance of getting involved in civic learning and the work of the Power of Democracy Steering Committee.
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Democracy in Action Academy
2017-07-01 18:07:02
2017-07-01 18:07:02
In addition to personally visiting Civic Learning Award winning schools, the Chief Justice also takes time to visit schools in her hometown of Sacramento.
Chief Justice Cantil-Sakauye visits her alma mater Sacramento State University and meets students at the Democracy in Action Academy, a summer program for high school students.
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Lawmakers Adopt State Seal of Civic Engagement
2017-08-26 14:32:48
2017-08-26 14:32:48
Assembly Bill 24 is approved by the Governor Oct 9, 2017.
Legislation requires "the Superintendent, on or before January 1, 2020, to recommend to the State Board of Education criteria for awarding a State Seal of Civic Engagement to pupils who have demonstrated excellence in civics education and participation and have demonstrated an understanding of the United States Constitution, the California Constitution, and the democratic system of government."
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Judges in the Classroom
2018-03-01 00:00:00
2018-03-01 00:00:00
The Power of Democracy launches a pilot effort to link teachers with judges modeled after the state of Washington's program of the same name.
"Judges have always gone into classrooms and always spoke about the role we do and why we follow the rule of law and the history and look and makeup of our branch. But at the same time now, we are getting new judges, we’re getting justices involved," Chief Justice Cantil-Sakauye.
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California YMCA Youth & Government
2018-06-21 00:00:00
2018-06-21 00:00:00
The Chief Justice is honored for inspiring young people to become leaders of change.
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Record Year for Civic Learning Awards
2019-06-11 00:00:00
2019-06-11 00:00:00
A record 92 public schools throughout California were recognized with the 2019 Civic Learning Awards. Now the awards program recognizes public schools for their achievements in civic education.
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Sandra Day O'Connor Award for the Advancement of Civics Education
2019-10-12 08:56:35
2019-10-12 08:56:35
Considered one of the highest honors in civics leadership, the Sandra Day O'Connor Award for the Achievement of Civics Education is presented to the Chief Justice by Mary McQueen, president of the National Center for State Courts.
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California Board of Education approves Seal of Civic Engagement
2020-09-20 08:56:35
2020-09-20 08:56:35
In Sept. 2020, California’s Board of Education approved the Seal of Civic Engagement, pushing forward efforts to encourage students to take an active role in democracy.
California students can earn the Seal by meeting certain criteria, including participating in civic engagement projects, understanding the functions of government and showing a commitment to making a civic impact in their classroom or community.
“Education is the cornerstone of realizing our democratic ideals, and this new seal puts additional tools in students’ hands as they work to shape the future,” said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond.