2016 Civic Learning Award Winners Announced

SACRAMENTO—Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye and Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson today announced recipients of the 2015-2016 Civic Learning Award. The awards, now in their fourth year, were created to celebrate public schools’ efforts to engage students in civic learning.

This year’s awards spotlight public elementary, middle, and high schools, in accordance with recommendations from the California Task Force on K-12 Learning that civic learning begin in kindergarten. The schools receiving Awards of Excellence, the highest level, will receive a visit from the Chief Justice.

They are:

Bellflower High School, Los Angeles
Natomas Pacific Pathways Middle/High School, Sacramento
Kumeyaay Elementary School, San Diego

“Visiting the Civic Learning Award Excellence schools is always among the highlights of my year. I’m inspired by the engagement and achievements of the students and the dedication and creativity of educators and the entire communities supporting these schools. It’s exciting to see these model schools innovating in engaging, real-world civic learning, and I congratulate the awarded schools at all levels,” said Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye.

The winners were selected by an expert panel, based on the depth and breadth of their civic learning courses or programs.

Six schools received Awards of Distinction, and 78 schools will receive Awards of Merit (see full list).

The Civic Learning Awards program is part of the Chief Justice’s civic learning initiative and partnership with the Superintendent of Instruction, launched in 2013 at the Civic Learning Summit.