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 We are fortunate in Utah that civics is a required course in our high schools. However in 2011, the American Bar Association in conjunction with the Annenberg Public Policy Center, conducted a survey in which only one-third of Americans could name all three branches of government; one-third couldn’t name any. Recognizing that an educated citizenry is critical to good government and seeing an opportunity to help in our community schools, the Bar Commission authorized the creation of a committee to study and develop a one-hour course to be taught in our high schools, emphasizing the role of the three independent branches of government and the importance of an independent judiciary
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The Utah State Bar, through its Civics Committee, has constructed a one-hour lesson plan on the United States Constitution, emphasizing such foundational tenets as democracy, separation of powers, rule of law and the importance of an independent judiciary. In addition, hundreds of attorneys across the state, including Utah Supreme Court Justice Christine Durham and other judges and community leaders, have volunteered to partner with the Utah’s Social Studies teachers in presenting this lesson. The goal this year is to have 100 Constitutiona l lessons presented by volunteer lawyers in partnership with Social Studies teachers in junior high and high schools across the state on or near Constitution Day, Monday September 17, 2012.
We are currently looking for more attorneys to volunteer in classrooms across the state all year long. If you would like to volunteer please click the appropriate link below.
If you have any further questions please send inquiries to:
highschoolcivics@utahbar.org
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