ABA Commission on Civic Education in the Nation's Schools

The Commission on Civic Education in the Nation’s Schools serves as an advocate for civic education in American classrooms and promotes the implementation of effective and high-quality educational programs.

Twenty-one diverse and distinguished jurists, lawyers, public servants, educators, advocates and organizational leaders make up the members of the Commission. Leading the Commission’s work are Paulette Brown and Marna Tucker, longtime ABA and civic leaders. Retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor serves as a special advisor to the Commission.

What We Do

The signature program of the Commission is the Civics and Law Academy. Academies are being organized throughout the country to mobilize lawyers and judges to share their expertise, experience and enthusiasm for the law with young people. As well as encourage them to be active participants in our democratic society. To facilitate the organization of the academies, the Commission published a 20-page Civics and Law Academy Resource Guide with six distinct “Pathways to Understanding,” used as a curriculum framework. Each Pathway contains topics and suggested court cases relative to the subject matter. The Commission has furnished a free online resource with lesson plans samples for those looking to conduct a Civics and Law Academy. A free Program Directory is also available online as a clearinghouse of Civic and Law Academies around the nation.

Contact Information

Commission on Civic Education in the Nation's Schools
Division for Public Education
American Bar Association
321 North Clark Street
Chicago, IL 60654-7598

Phone: 312.988.5735
Fax: 312.988.5494
Email: publiceducation@americanbar.org