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The ABA Business Law Section's Rule of Law Working Group and Pro Bono Committee collaborated with Reading Partners, a national nonprofit committed to developing children's reading skills, to engage elementary school students in topics related to the rule of law. Civic education is necessary for an engaged citizenry and a functional rule of law. The preamble to the Model Rules of Professional Conduct notes that lawyers have a special responsibility to strengthen the rule of law. To strengthen the rule of law, lawyers should work to eliminate bias, discrimination, and harassment in the practice of law; increase access to the justice system by taking on pro bono cases; and promote civic education in their local community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An interview with American Bar Association (ABA) Standing Committee on Law and National Security chairperson Elisabeth Rindskopf Parker is presented. She discusses how the Defending Democratic Institutions Project aimed at protecting the U.S. judicial system against Russian disinformation campaigns led to the promotion of civics education. She explains how she became involved in the national security field.

The article discusses the recent accomplishments and future plans of the Judicial Division (JD). In the past year, the JD organized numerous web-based and live programs, collaborated with other organizations, and released several books, including one that received an award. The JD also produced a podcast and has upcoming issues of the Judges' Journal magazine. Looking ahead, the JD will focus on judicial selection, civics education, diversity outreach programs, and the Judicial Clerkship Program. The Membership Committee and JD Leadership are planning quarterly zoom meetings for new members, and there has been a dues increase to fund new projects. The JD has experienced some staff changes but is optimistic about the future and welcomes new ideas and members. [Extracted from the article]

For example, Illinois adopted a highschool civics course requirement in 2015that embeds evidence-based practices. According to ourunofficial analysis, 38 states and D.C.require a high school civics course, butonly seven for a full year; eight othersrequire civics instruction, but not inthe context of a stand-alone course; andseven states have no high school civicsrequirement. On theother hand, civics seals have surfaced innine states and counting as complementary"carrots" to civics accountability. [Extracted from the article]

For the48 million Americans attending publicK-12 schools, the school is their "localgovernment", and input into school governanceis--particularly for those too youngto vote--their method of engaging in civiclife. If you set out with a blank page todesign a civics course meeting thechallenges of the twenty-first century,here's what it might look like:Students would be encouraged to examineand debate current events, focusingon close-to-home events salient to theirdaily lives. Students have robust free speech protections,thanks to the Supreme Court's1969 Tinker ruling, which recognized theright to wear anti-war armbands--evenon school grounds during class time--solong as the protest did not "materially" or"substantially" disrupt school functions. [Extracted from the article]

The article highlights the a legal perspective that states a citizen is a person who is an official member of a political community and who therefore has certain de jure rights and privileges and legitimate expectations of her government. It further explores how civic duty or duties can answer the legal gap that government cannot possibly detect, at least without unacceptably prevalent surveillance and restrictions of freedom.

In the article, the author discusses the potential benefits of the promotion and acceptance of diversity of viewpoints in the legal profession. particularly in bridging the erosion and polarization of trust in democratic institutions. Also cited are the recommendations on how to promote diverse viewpoints like inclusive learning environments, and the efforts by the American Bar Association (ABA) Cornerstones of Democracy Commission to promote civics education and diversity.

The article discusses the significance of Law Day, which originated during the Cold War as a celebration of the rule of law in the U.S. It emphasizes the importance of this year's theme, "Cornerstones of Democracy: Civics, Civility and Collaboration," and highlights the need for civics education to enhance citizens' understanding of democracy and emphasizes the role of the American Bar Association in promoting civics education, civil public discourse, and collaboration.

But surely thebiggest obstacle to civics education is alsothe most important reason for encouragingits use--the extremism and intolerance inour communities and classrooms today. At the same time, however, even a subjectas neutral as civics education is facingincreased opposition by some conservatives,who have, for instance, tried to linkcivics education to critical race theory,which they assert is racist. [Extracted from the article]

Justice O'Connor was elected to the State Senate andserved as the first woman majority leader of the Senate.Her commitment to civics education was likely alsoinfluenced by her work on the Supreme Court with JusticeThurgood Marshall. In 2010, Justice O'Connor's Our Courtswebsite initiative was expanded and incorporated asiCivics to provide lesson plans and free interactivevideogames to middle and high school educators to teachcivics lessons to their students. Justice O'Connor's commitment to civics education mayhave been influenced by her experience in the Arizonastate government, where, in addition to serving as anappellate court judge, she served in the legislature. [Extracted from the article]

In the Federalist 78, AlexanderHamilton quoted Montesquieu,who stated: "there is no liberty, ifthe power of judging be not separatedfrom the legislative and executivepowers." Because of the structural precariousnessof the judiciary and the added challengethat judges are sometimes calledon to make these difficult or unpopulardecisions, the judiciary must take a leadingrole in educating the public on ourgovernment and the judiciary's properrole in it. Even more concerning, as noted above,state judiciaries are less structurally protectedfrom political interference becausemany of them use some form of election toselect judges, and their judges, for the mostpart, do not receive lifetime appointments. [Extracted from the article]

The U.S. government did not standardizethe civics test until 2008, after undergoinga nearly decade-long review to ensure thatapplicants "[have] a meaningful understandingof the English language andU.S. history and civics." The Trump administration's changes wereset to take effect in December 2020, but inthe month following the commencementof the Biden administration, United StatesCitizenship and Immigration Services(USCIS) released guidance on the administrationof the civics test. [Extracted from the article]

* That the ABA urges state, local,territorial, tribal officials, and privatesector entities to adopt the Educatingfor American Democracy (EAD)Roadmap as a model to expand andimprove civic education in theirjurisdictions. On August 9,2021, the AmericanBar Association (ABA) Houseof Delegates by a vote of 330-9passed Resolution 21A606,which consists of two clauses: * That the ABA supports the enactmentof the Civics Secures Democracy Act(HR 1814 and S 879, 117th Congress) orsimilar legislation to provide supportfor expanded and improved civiceducation in the United States. [Extracted from the article]

Law librarians havelong ensured access toauthentic legal informationresources to legalprofessionals, enabling them topractice and uphold the law as aservice to our greater communities. LAW LIBRARIAN OUTREACH Because the legal system is often a mysteryto the public, and many people are notaware they even have a legal issue, lawlibrarians reach out to community partnersto broaden the reach of law libraries andeducate partners on legal resources andquestions. [Extracted from the article]

INTRODUCTION As the current chair of the ABA Section of Civil Rightsand Social Justice (CRSJ), I'm pleased to bring you thisissue of Human Rights magazine, "The State of CivicEducation in America", which aligns with our Section'stheme this bar year: "Unity through Civic Literacy." These are just a smattering of ABA policy resolutions insupport of civics education. Iproudly served as a commissioner of then ABA PresidentLinda Klein's 2016 Commission on the Lawyer's Role inAssuring Every Child's Right to a High-Quality Education,chaired by current ABA President Reginald Turner. [Extracted from the article]

The article reports that the American Bar Association (ABA) Division for Public Education has considered civic education as one of the primary concerns and initiatives. Stephen N. Zack, president of ABA, has quoted studies indicating that more Americans can name the judges on "American Idol" than on the U.S. Supreme Court. According to Zack, they are going into every high school in the U.S. and will teach civic and take advantage of the Internet's resources.

The article reports that American Bar Association (ABA) president Stephen N. Zack has called on members of the National Conference of Bar Presidents (NCBP) to promote civic education in schools across the U.S. He appointed the ABA Commission on Civics Education in the Nation's Schools, co-chaired by Marna Tucker and Paulette Brown. Some of the tasks of the ABA Commission are discussed, including developing a course for young people to be conducted at various sites across the U.S.

In my social studies classroom over theyears, civics has often meant incorporatinglessons and resources from the ZinnEducation Project, a nonprofit committedto helping teachers teach a more accurate,complex, and engaging history than whatis found in most textbooks. Civics has meant teaching the role oftribal sovereignty in the "political DNA" ofthe United States in a lesson about the Cherokeeand Seminole Nations confrontingthe 1830 removal acts, and in a role play Ico-wrote about the Dakota Access Pipeline. Civics has meant reminding studentsthat for most of the history of this country,excluding marginalized groups from thefranchise was part of its "political DNA" byinvestigating the 1848 Seneca Falls Conventionand the Black struggle for votingrights during Reconstruction, 100 yearslater, and today. [Extracted from the article]

The article looks at the programs that Presidential Classroom offers high school students who visit Washington, D.C. to see the federal government in action and meet its leaders. The Presidential Classroom's Law and Justice in a Democracy Program which was held from June 11-18, 2005 allows students to gain insight into the U.S. justice system by interacting with individuals who work in the judiciary. It includes information on the curriculum of each program and guest speakers of each seminars.

Ukraine and its two presidential elections were a major international news event in 2004. In this article, education professor Alden W. Craddock explores the growth of democracy in Ukraine and the important contributions of new civic education programs in the schools. He shares stories from one program--a partnership between U.S.-based university and secondary school teachers and Ukrainian teachers of history, social studies, and civic education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the results of the U.S. survey ABA Survey of Civic Literacy, conducted by the organization American Bar Association (ABA). Topics include public knowledge about the rights and responsibilities of U.S. citizens, views about the U.S. Constitution, and the relation of the survey results to civics education.

This article presents information regarding a lawsuit against the state of Rhode Island to require schools to teach civics. The plaintiffs, which include students and parents, are led by lawyer Michael A. Rebell, allege that the United States Constitution requires civics to be included in the state curricula.

The article profiles Stephen N. Zack, a partner in the Boies Schiller & Flexner and president of the American Bar Association (ABA). He is the first Hispanic and Cuban-American to become an ABA president. His presidential initiatives include access to justice, Hispanic legal rights and responsibilities and need for increased civic education. His organization affiliations are cited as well as ABA activities.

The article presents the comments of David H. Souter, former U.S. Supreme Court Justice, given at the 2009 American Bar Association (ABA) Annual Meeting held in Chicago, Illinois. While speaking at the meeting, Souter stated that there is need to improve the civic education in the U.S. and noted that public ignorance about the shape of government was a problem facing judicial independence in the country. Souter emphasized the job of making civic education real again in the U.S. and requested ABA to play leading role in this effort. Carolyn B. Lamm, president of ABA in Washington D.C. has urged funding to assist initial efforts to look into the need for better civic education.

The article offers information on the emphasis laid on the civic education by Stephen G. Breyer, the U.S. Supreme Court Justice. It states that Breyer believes that the U.S. is becoming polarized, with its counties favoring either Democrats or Republicans. It mentions that civic education is being promoted to educate students and eradicate ignorance.

The article informs on various issues faced by the American Bar Association (ABA) in the U.S. and the views of its incoming president Wm. T. Robinson on it. The main problem faced by the ABA is funding crisis and Robinson has started working to bring monetary stability to the underfunded courts. Also, other priority works for Robinson include improving civics education, encouraging participation of Hispanic community in legal system and better disaster preparedness by law firms and courts.

Several letters to the editor are presented in response to articles in previous issues including "Battle of Atlanta," in May 2011 issue, "Flunking Civics," and another article on American Bar association's (ABA) encouragement for more civic and government education.

The article discusses several issues in the U.S. addressed by the American Bar Association (ABA). ABA has formed the Task Force on Preservation of the Justice System for court support. In the case of civics deficiency which has been caused by lack of civic understanding and participation, ABA Commission on Civic Education in the Nation's Schools and the ABA Civics and Law academies are being created. ABA is also working with other associations to help disaster-hit states.

The author reflects on the gift entrusted to bar associations and lawyers to promote democracy and civic education. He draws parallels between music and democracy, citing his daughter's experiences in learning about music. He urges readers to understand their democracy like they understand music. He states that the music of their democracy and its handwritten notes are found in the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence and the Federalist Papers.

The article presents the author's opinion on the state of civic education for children in the U.S. The author refers to the findings of a recent National Assessment of Educational Progress, which reveal that less than one-quarter of eighth-graders in the U.S. were rated as proficient in civics and government. The author stresses on the need to educate young people on the rights and responsibilities of American citizenship.

The article calls the attention of law students to opportunities to move from student to employed lawyer. The Work-A-Day public interest project of the American Bar Association (ABA) is presented which has reinforcing civics education in public schools as theme for 2010. The Grant Program is explained which focuses on student-led programs and initiatives that create financial needs. The advantages of joining the ABA Law Student Division are discussed in terms of building bridges toward a career.

The article focuses on the initiative by Stephen N. Zack, upcoming president of the American Bar association (ABA), on civic education in American schools. Zack says that his experience in Cuba from where his family to Miami, Italy is fundamental to his understanding of what's going on in the U.S. and it is a big reason for his emphasis on civic education. He says that schools in the U.S. are crucial to civic education efforts.