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'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.
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.
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.
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.”
“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.
“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.
“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.
“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.”
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.
This year’s awards showcase the excellent civic education being done in elementary and middle schools.
"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
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.
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.
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."
"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.
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.