Constitution Month Wraps with Record‑Breaking School Visits

Throughout September, California judicial officers visited more than 80 schools and reached a record-breaking 5,200 California K–12 students to promote civic engagement. Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero presented schools with the Civic Learning Award of Excellence, and judicial officers presented dozens of schools with Civic Learning Awards of Distinction, Merit, and Honorable Mention. A total of 26 schools received Civic Learning Awards this year.

Co-sponsored by the Chief Justice and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, the awards honor campus-wide integration of civic learning and engagement.

To commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States, Chief Justice Guerrero’s Power of Democracy Civic Learning Initiative developed multiple opportunities for judicial officers and schools to connect and promote civic engagement. Judges across the state pledged to connect with 250 students before the end of 2026, and many took advantage of Constitution Month to deliver lessons about the framework of American democracy.

Constitution Day is observed nationally on September 17, highlighting the signing and ratification of the U.S. Constitution. California’s judicial branch is the only state branch in the nation that celebrates September as Constitution Month.

Judicial officers will continue to visit schools throughout the school year through the Judges in the Classroom program. Schools can learn more about the program and request a visit at powerofdemocracy.org.

California's Judicial Branch Breaks Outreach Records | Flickr