As I have said in previous columns, this is a great time to be(come) involved in civics education. Every district in the Ninth Circuit offers some kind of program, event or activity for students, teachers or the community at large. Our courts are doing great things, but they may be doing them the hard way, unaware of resources and expertise available elsewhere in the circuit. So why not bring together those judges and court staff most actively involved in civics education to share their knowledge and experience?
This is the idea behind a new effort, led by Chief Judge Sidney R. Thomas, to develop a circuit-wide approach to civics education. As Judge Thomas often says, we need to “think like a circuit” and that includes how we go about educating young people and the general public about the Third Branch.
The process will begin in July with a supplemental civics education program at the Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference. Judge Thomas has asked that every district be represented at the meeting by at least one judge and court staff member. We expect the level of interest will actually be much higher with some districts having multiple representatives.
The Courts and Community Committee will serve as the umbrella organization for this new effort, while The Justice Anthony M. Kennedy Library and Learning Center will become a key educational resource. Dr. Kari Kelso, administrator of the Kennedy Learning Center, will be organizing the supplemental program at the circuit conference with input from district representatives. I will keep you apprised of developments.
Speaking of the circuit conference, we are in the home stretch of the 2017 Ninth Circuit Civics Contest, an essay and video competition for high school students from throughout the West. The winning essay will be read and the winning video shown during the opening session.
New developments here include efforts by contest organizers in the districts of Arizona and Central California to recognize the contributions of teachers. Both districts will be awarding cash prizes to teachers, though in slightly different ways. Arizona is seeking nominations of teachers, using an online form, while the Central District is awarding prizes for teachers of students who are associated with the winners of their local contest.
In addition, the District of Arizona, the Central District of California and the Southern District of California have all held wonderfully informative events to promote the contest to the bar and educational community. Video recordings of the programs can be viewed from the “Resources” page of the contest website: www.ca9.uscourts.gov/civicscontest.