Empowering the Next Generation—and This One—Through Civics Education
At the Sandra Day O’Connor Institute for American Democracy, we believe that every American, regardless of age, deserves access to high-quality civic learning. Whether in the classroom, at the dinner table, or in community conversations, civics education is the foundation for an informed and engaged society.
Justice Sandra Day O’Connor understood this deeply. Throughout her life, and especially in her retirement, she championed civic education not just for youth but for all citizens. Her vision was clear: a healthy democracy requires that each generation learn how our government works, why it matters, and how to contribute thoughtfully to public life.
That vision continues through the Institute’s work and our initiative, Civics for Life, a free, nonpartisan resource hub designed to support educators, lifelong learners, and anyone interested in strengthening democracy through knowledge and dialogue.
Why Civics Education Matters
In today’s fast-moving world, surrounded by information and often polarization, Americans need more than headlines—they need tools for discernment, understanding, and respectful civic engagement. Civic literacy enables individuals to navigate current events, engage in meaningful dialogue, and contribute constructively to their communities.
High-quality civics education—at any age—fosters historical context, critical thinking, and the habits of civil discourse. It prepares individuals not just to vote, but to lead, listen, and engage.
Primary Sources: Bringing Democracy to Life
We strongly encourage the use of primary source documents in civics instruction and conversation. From the Constitution and Federalist Papers to landmark court decisions, speeches, and letters, primary sources allow learners to encounter the words and ideas that shaped our nation.
Reading and discussing these documents promote inquiry, analysis, and a deeper appreciation for the complexities of American democracy. Our Civics for Life platform features curated collections of primary sources and guided materials, designed to spark meaningful discussions across classrooms, civic groups, and informal learning spaces.
We are also honored to oversee the most extensive digital collection of the Justice’s work, including opinions, speeches, articles, and more in the O’Connor Digital Library.
We encourage you to explore these resources more:
Justice O’Connor’s Enduring Legacy
Justice O’Connor once said, “The practice of democracy is not passed down through the gene pool. It must be taught and learned by each new generation of citizens.” Her words ring true today, as civic knowledge and respectful dialogue are more vital than ever.
She believed that civic responsibility doesn’t begin or end with schooling—it is a lifelong endeavor. That belief is central to our mission as we work to make engaging, accessible, and nonpartisan civic resources available to all.
Explore Our Resources
Whether you're a teacher shaping your lesson plans, a parent encouraging thoughtful conversation at home, or an engaged adult looking to deepen your civic understanding, our resources are here to support you:
- Articles and explainers on foundational and timely civic topics
- Explore meaningful conversations from our Public Square series and see what’s coming next—join the dialogue that brings generations together through civil discourse.
- Student-created Civics Challenge videos on civics topics for peer-to-peer learning.
All materials are free and designed to support multigenerational learning and engagement.
Explore free civics education tools at CivicsforLife.org.
Explore the life and work of Justice O’Connor at Library.OConnorInstitute.Org.
Let’s continue Justice O'Connor's legacy by making civic learning not just a classroom priority, but a lifelong habit for all Americans.
The Sandra Day O’Connor Institute for American Democracy proudly supports learners, educators, and communities in advancing civics education, civil discourse, and civic engagement—for today and for generations to come.
