Civics

Retired U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor released a statement Tuesday that she's retiring from public life completely, due to being in the early stages of dementia.  Brooke Blevins of Baylor University admired O'Connor (the first woman on the Supreme Court) and her commitment to education, particularly in the area of civics. She discussed that in a statement yesterday.

O'Connor started the online learning program iCivics.  Specifically, it's "free online interactive games and curriculum designed to teach the core principles of civics to middle and high school students." Dr. Blevins was one of the first to study the effectiveness of iCivics. Justice O'Connor honored Dr. Blevins and her associate, Dr. Karon LeCompte, for their research.

Baylor University has a summer program (iEngage Summer Civics Institute) where they implement the principals learned in the program. Dr. Blevins hopes that the country will commit to educating our youth about civics and understanding their role as informed, active voters in society. She praised Justice O'Connor's legacy, which she said had a "deep impact" on her life and work.  Coincidentally, O'Connor retired from the court in 2005 to take care of her late husband, who had Alzheimer's.