Co-Sponsored by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson and California Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakuaye.
We recognize and value the important role of public schools in preparing students for participation in our democracy, and have begun a partnership to support civic education in California. It is therefore with great pleasure that we invite you to apply for the new Civic Learning Award for public high schools. The awards are designed to both celebrate successful efforts to engage students in civic learning and to identify successful models that can be replicated in other schools.
The Civic Learning Award program has three levels: Awards of Excellence, Distinction, and Merit. Winners will be selected by a panel of experts based on the depth and breadth of their civic learning courses/clubs/programs. Award of Excellence winners will receive a personal visit from Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakuaye; Award of Distinction winners will be visited by an Appellate Court Justice; and local Judges will provide recognition to schools receiving the Award of Merit. All schools will also receive a plaque. In addition, selected schools may have the opportunity to meet with us in Sacramento on February 28, 2013.
We hope that you will take this opportunity to recognize the civic educators at your school and share the enclosed application with them. The application will be available in mid-October.
If you have questions, please contact Mr. Craig Cheslog, California Department of Education, by phone at 916-319-0554 or by e-mail at ccheslog@cde.ca.gov, or Ms. Deborah Genzer, Administrative Office of the Courts, by phone at 415-865-8755 or by e-mail at deborah.genzer@jud.ca.gov.
