As Justice Sandra Day O’Connor Steps Away From Public Life, Her Legacy, iCivics, Begins Broad Push for Increased Civics Education

Only 23 percent of eighth-grade students demonstrate proficiency in civics education, meaning they can accurately answer questions about the three branches of government, the Constitution, and voting.

This concerning statistic has been a focal point for Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, who has dedicated significant time and effort to address this issue since her retirement from the Supreme Court in 2006. In 2009, Justice O’Connor founded iCivics, a free online nonprofit that utilizes games and lesson plans to teach middle and high school students about government. By 2017, iCivics had reached over 5 million students.

Despite her recent announcement to step away from public life due to dementia, Justice O’Connor’s legacy is being carried on by iCivics through a national initiative called CivXNow. In collaboration with 55 partner organizations, including the National Conference of State Legislatures, the American Bar Association, and Tufts University, CivXNow aims to promote civics education by targeting state policymakers and launching messaging campaigns to encourage investment in this field.

Jay O’Connor, Justice O’Connor’s son, emphasized that educating the next generation of citizens has been the most important and enduring aspect of his mother’s career. In her own words from an October letter, Justice O’Connor expressed her hope that the nation would prioritize educating young people about civics and their critical role as informed and active citizens.

Poor civics knowledge is not limited to schools alone. According to an annual survey by the Annenberg Public Policy Center, only one-third of adults can correctly name all three branches of government. However, there is a growing interest among young adults in civic engagement. The recent midterm elections saw a 31 percent voter turnout among individuals aged 18 to 29, marking a significant 10 percentage point increase compared to the 2014 midterms. Additionally, following the February school shooting in Parkland, Florida, tens of thousands of students participated in coordinated walkouts to protest gun violence, highlighting the amplified voice of students.

Jay O’Connor, who also serves as a board member of iCivics, expressed his mother’s excitement about the emergence of CivXNow as a coalition that can create a national movement and coordinated effort to prioritize civics education in schools.

While the work is just beginning, CivXNow is expected to release a report identifying the main causes of poor civics education and providing recommendations for better solutions. Louise Dubé, the executive director of iCivics, emphasized that their organization continues to strive towards expanding its reach to all students. In this pursuit, iCivics has introduced a new game called NewsFeed Defenders, where students take on the role of a social media editor and must determine the accuracy of news articles.

Dubé recognized Justice O’Connor’s commitment to civics education, which she believed was the most significant contribution she could make to the nation. The use of interactive games that resonate with students’ lives has been a rewarding approach in carrying forward Justice O’Connor’s vision.

It is important to note that the funding for CivXNow and is provided by the Carnegie Corporation of New York.

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emmawillis

Emma Willis is a 31-year-old blogger and professor. She has a passion for writing and teaching, and loves exploring new ideas and sharing her insights with others. Emma is a natural leader and motivator, and has a gift for helping people discover their own potential. She is also an avid learner, always looking for new ways to improve her skills and knowledge.