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During the pandemic, the Civic Learning Award program took pause to honor individual programs, classes and clubs, and individual Champions of Civics. This was the model for 2021 and 2022 during a time when schools were remote learning, supporting hybrid classrooms, and getting back to campus life full-time. This year, the program returns to its pre-pandemic purpose--honoring schools with an all-encompassing commitment to civics.  The Champion of Civics Award will be presented in the future at the discretion of Power of Democracy Steering Committee or the Chief Justice. 

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The Power of Democracy Civic Learning Initiative is always looking for new, innovative ideas to implement, promote, expand, and celebrate effective civics programming! So we ask you: Teachers and students, if you were in a position to really change how civics reaches students in public school, where would you begin? 

The Chief Justice visits schools of Excellence. Schools of Distinction and Merit receive visits from judges in their community. In 2021 and 2022, visits to campus events were canceled due to the uncertainty and unpredictable nature of public health directives.  This year, the Award of Excellence will be presented in September by Chief Justice-Elect Patricia Guerrero. This will give schools time to organize celebrations during Constitution Month, and around Constitution Day (September 17).

Each year, the applications are scored by a panel of approximately 12 judicial officers, educators, and civic learning experts. Most panelists are members of the Power of Democracy Steering Committee. Every application is read and scored by no fewer than three judges, with an average score calculated and assigned. Applications scoring the highest are then reviewed by the entire panel. In cases where there is a tie, weight is applied to those schools who best demonstrate how they:

The deadline is 10 P.M. on March 31, 2023. In the past, applications were due in February. Scoring relies on data supporting the impact and scope of current school efforts. The March 31 deadline gives schools more time to mature their programs and collect information on their student civic learning and community action projects.