Civic Learning Award For CA Public Schools
Recognizing the important role of public schools in preparing students for participation in our democracy.2022–23 Application
The application period for the 2022–23 Civic Learning Award for California public schools was opened from November 1, 2022, through April 3, 2023. A committee comprised of representatives from the California Department of Education (CDE), the Judicial Branch, and other business and education leaders reviewed the applications. Recipients were announced on May 1, 2023.
About the Civic Learning Award
The Civic Learning Award for public schools is co-sponsored by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond and California Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero. The CDE recognizes and values the important role of public schools in preparing students for participation in our democracy, and have a partnership to support civic education in California. 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 are selected by a panel of experts based on the depth and breadth of their civic learning classes, clubs, and programs. Schools receiving the highest honor, the Award of Excellence, traditionally receive a visit by the Chief Justice.
In response to the challenges brought by COVID-19, the 2021 and 2022 awards were adapted to honor single programs, classes, or clubs. Public health directives prevented onsite visits to celebrate the awardees. For 2023, the Civic Learning Awards returned to honoring schools committed to integrating civics campus-wide, promoting positive citizenry inside the classroom and out, and promoting the State Seal of Civic Engagement.
The CDE hopes that you will take this opportunity to recognize the civic educators at your school and share this information with them.
The application and information as well as a list of past recipients are available on the California Courts Civic Learning Awards web page
[https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/civiclearningawards].