News
CLC member appointed to the State Board of Education
Civic Learning Council is proud to announce that CLC member, Shari Conditt, has been appointed to the State Board of Education. Ms. Conditt is a nationally recognized educator who taught government and U.S. history in Woodland Public Schools. Join us in congratulating Ms. Conditt on her appointment!
Nominations Now Open
Governor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching History
The Governor’s Award is presented to an outstanding certified teacher of Pacific Northwest history in an accredited K-12 school in Washington or to a nonprofit organization. The awards committee welcomes nominations of individuals who demonstrate effective teaching by any measure of excellence. Nominations are due January 30, 2026.
CLC Member named NCSS Teacher of the Year
The Civic Learning Council is pleased to announce that at the 2025 national conference, CLC member and teacher, Barbara Bromley (Hazelwood Elementary School in Lynnwood, WA) was named the National Council for the Social Studies Elementary Teacher of the Year.
This highly competitive national recognition, offered annually, is awarded for excellence in teaching elementary social studies. Congratulations Barbara!
Civic Learning Week
"Liberty and Learning: Civic Education at 250," the Civic Learning Week National Forum, will be hosted in Philadelphia from March 9-10, 2026.
This in-person event will showcase effective and evidence-based examples of pluralistic civic learning in practice.
In 2026, the Forum is expanding to incorporate more educator programming as it explores key topics related to civic education and the leadership needed to make high-quality civic learning a nationwide priority.
New Civics Diploma Seal Program at Woodland High School
In September 2025, Shari Conditt (CLC member), Kyla Keefer, Julia Stepper, and Katie Klaus—four teachers at Woodland High School in Woodland (Cowlitz County), WA—proposed the creation of a new Civics Diploma Seal program to recognize students who have demonstrated exemplary performance in civics. To earn the Civics Diploma seal, Woodland students need to complete tasks in each of the five virtues: Justice, Civility, Self-Discipline, Service, and Citizenship. This program was given the full support of the Woodland School Board and is the first of its kind in WA state.
Local Teacher Attends ABOTA Civics Summit
In June 2025, Barbara Bromley—4th grade teacher at Hazelwood Elementary and member of the Civic Learning Council—attended the ABOTA Civics Summit in Philadelphia, PA.
The conference, titled "Empowering Students Through Civic Education: Democracy Starts Here," brought together a distinguished group of educators and experts dedicated to strengthening civic knowledge and engagement among young people. The discussions and presentations throughout the conference underscored a shared belief that by equipping students with the tools to understand and participate in our government, we can cultivate a new generation of informed and engaged citizens.
Ms. Bromley reports that the experience provided her with valuable new insights and resources to bring back to her own work in empowering students to become active participants in their communities. At the annual dinner of the ABOTA Washington chapter in November 2025, Ms. Bromley shared a video presentation about the impact of her experience.
ABOTA Promotes Civil Discourse
On April 22, 2025, the Washington Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA, the sponsor of our civic education grants), put on a Civility Matters program for first year law students at the University of Washington. Experienced trial lawyers explained the importance of civil discourse in effective persuasion and the furthering of interests of clients and the Rule of Law.
Civics In The News
Please note: some of these articles are behind a paywall depending on the news source. If you don't have a paid subscription to these news sources, you may be able to read these articles for free through your local library website if you are a library card holder.
2025
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North Central High students aim to register 90 new voters this year
KHQ-TV - Spokane, WA (October 23, 2025) -
Civics Education Struggles, Even as Government and Politics Saturate Daily Life
New York Times (October 7, 2025)
2024
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Our students need a dose of civics: Democracy depends on it
Seattle Times (July14, 2024)
2022
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Exploring the complexities of our democracy
KUOW Public Radio (June 21, 2022)
2021
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Civics as a National Security Imperative: A Conversation with U.S. Supreme Court Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Neil M. Gorsuch
Center for Strategic & International Studies (April 14, 2021) -
For educators, a time of opportunity after civic life's current stress test
The Fulcrum (January 14, 2021)
2020
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Has America Lost Its Sense of Common Purpose?
PBS (September 29, 2020) -
How national security and civic education must address racism
The Hill (June 30, 2020) -
Best Practices in Civic Education and Service Learning
National Commission on Military, National and Public Services
2019
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Chief Justice Warns That 'Civic Education Has Fallen By the Wayside'
Education Week (December 31, 2019) -
The Two Codes Your Kids Need to Know
The New York Times (February 12, 2019)
2018
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Are Civics Lessons a Constitutional Right? These Students Are Suing for Them
The New York Times (November 28, 2018) -
Life Story Fuels Justice Sotomayor's Passion for Education, Civics
Education Week (November 1, 2018) -
Civics education: Outside the classroom
The Seattle Times (April 12, 2018) -
Better civics education in schools? Yes, please
The Seattle Times (April 9, 2018) -
Actually, You Can Fix Stupid
The New York Times (March 30, 2018) -
Supreme Court Justice Sotomayor pushes for civics requirement in schools in Seattle visit
The Seattle Times (January 24, 2018) -
Can a civics class make a difference? Justice Sotomayor thinks so
Crosscut (January 23, 2018)
2017
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A great nation does not fail civics
The Seattle Times (October 2, 2017) -
Editorial: Civics bills would result in better-informed voters
The Daily Herald, HeraldNet.com (February 10, 2017) -
Lawmakers are pushing bills to expand civics education
The Daily Herald, HeraldNet.com (February 8, 2017) -
Statewide initiative seeks to improve civic education for Washington students
San Juan Islander (January 19, 2017)
2016
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Earlier and more often: Washington teachers seek broad boost to civic education
The Seattle Times (November 28, 2016) -
Commentary: Teaching civics by having kids throw their own party
The Daily Herald (November 6, 2016) -
Justice Sotomayor Talks iCivics
Fast Forward Women's Leadership Forum (September 2016) -
Do You Know the Branches of Government? Program Could Help Kids Learn Civics
The Seattle Times (August 5, 2016)