banner image

Beyond Civics Education

Beyond Civics Education

The Beyond Civics Education guide was born out of concern for the future of the judiciary. In recent years, NCSC public opinion polls have revealed a steep decline in public trust in courts. Without public trust, courts lack the authority to effectively carry out their core responsibility of resolving disputes.

Recognizing the urgent need to improve public trust and confidence, the Public Engagement, Trust and Confidence committee of the Conference of Chief Justices (CCJ) and the Conference of State Court Administrators (COSCA) has developed a new strategy for courts to connect with their communities. This strategy goes beyond traditional approaches like civics education programs and courthouse tours and focuses on understanding and addressing concerns from lived experiences.

State courts are encouraged to adopt the “Beyond Civics Education” strategy to supplement their existing civics education programs. The guide provides a roadmap to begin the work.

Healthier courts strategy

The Beyond Civics Education guide outlines an everyday strategy that courts can implement to regain public trust and confidence.

  • Step 1: Exercise: Emphasize the "heavy lifting" done by state courts, making local courts key players in delivering justice.
  • Step 2: EAT Right: Commit to reinforcing ethics, accountability, and transparency.
  • Step 3: Don't Sleep on Community Impact: Continuously showcase the positive outcomes of local court programs and initiatives that benefit the community.
  • Step 4: Supplement Your Media Coverage: Leverage digital platforms and develop a modern public relations strategy to promote human-interest stories that reaches audiences stratified by generational differences.

"We’re learning that focusing on civics education as the only solution to the public trust crisis is not a sustainable strategy. We must engage with communities to highlight the central role of state courts in providing justice.”

- Anna Blackburne-Rigsby, Chief Judge of the District of Columbia Court of Appeals
and co-chair of CCJ/COSCA's Public Engagement, Trust, and Confidence Committee

Resources