Civics Initiative
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Perfectionism and the American story
Under the guise of penitent cultural self-examination, critics of American values and institutions have argued that the faults of America’s past unavoidably undermine all that is good in America now. Such a view is perilously deceptive because it tricks us…
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Texas abortion case: a civics lesson on the federal court system
As the U.S. has grown through its history and adapted to new circumstances, so, too, has the judicial branch. Its history suggests that it will continue to do so into the future.
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Why the judiciary is so distinct: It was designed to react, not initiate action
The judiciary branch is designed as a responsive, not proactive, branch of government. The court can’t tell Congress not to pass an unconstitutional law or tell the president not to issue a legally invalid order. It must wait until after…
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Celebrating our founding ideals: A Q&A with Celebrate Freedom author Bill Mattox
In a Q&A with Sutherland’s Derek Monson, Bill Mattox of the James Madison Institute explains his Celebrate Freedom curriculum, which has reached over a million Florida high school students.
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Learning about America through primary sources: Dred Scott decision
It’s difficult to understand historical events critical to the modern American civic fabric – such as the Civil War and Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation – without first understanding Dred Scott, a Supreme Court ruling in 1857.
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A thoughtful discussion of critical race theory and civics education
Thinking beyond race – do our worries about things like the health of our democracy stem solely from the arguments, beliefs or tactics of our political opponents, or are they driven by elements of our own personal political perspectives?
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Learning about America through primary sources: Emancipation Proclamation
Students today are bombarded with messages about America – our history, slavery and race relations. Certainly, no student would be prepared for these widespread discussions without being aware of and studying the Emancipation Proclamation – what it did, what it…
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Strengthen education choice – and depoliticize the classroom
Five policy options in particular stand out for increasing access to public school, private school and school-at-home education choice options.
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Is CRT showing up in Utah public schools?
CRT’s influence in public schools and/or classroom instruction has been a matter of debate. On one hand, there are claims – based on anecdotal reports – that CRT is showing up in classroom instruction. On the other hand, there are…
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This Constitution Day, read the Constitution
This Constitution Day, read the Constitution. Through civics education, we can make America what the framers dreamed it would become: a more perfect union.