Yes. Sign on to the website to access Courts Connected. This content is only for courts, and will soon feature a live Forum for courts. Once you're logged in, select Courts Connected > "Volunteer" for the Judges in the Classroom registration form.

Your choice! Sometimes teachers want lessons they've had before, or topics covered that support their curriculum. Request forms ask teachers to provide some information about the content they seek. Judges should talk to the teacher to help prepare for the visit. This helps determine the best lesson. Coordinators can help by making suggestions, too. Over time, they begin to know these lessons well. Here are some of our most popular lessons, by grade span: Elementary: No Animals Allowed Middle School: No Vehicles Allowed | Voting Rights High School: Voting Rights | Riley v. CA

Of course! Simply fill out the request form for it to appear in our system, or if you have access to the dashboard, you may input it there. If you put in general terms, we'll be able to figure it out. There's space for explaining in greater detail if you want to include the program.

We collect data on this unfortunate experience, so keeping your data in the dashboard updated is important so we can try to remediate the ghosting issue in the future. Some courts have decided to reject requests from repeat "ghosters"! After one initial attempt via email or text message goes unanswered for a few days, try again with a last call message. Sample: Hello: We notified you recently about a judge stepping forward to visit your classroom. We haven't received your confirmation. Our judges have demanding schedules, therefore must schedule their outreach accordingly. It is an important function of our court to meet students and teachers in our community, so if you're able to host this visit, please notify us within 48 hours or we'll need to move on to another opportunity.

This program is free for California public schools K-12.

Yes, our judges visit charter schools, continuation schools, afterschool programs (on a public school campus), credit recovery schools, and juvenile court schools. However, it is up to each court to determine the types of classrooms they visit, and the number of visits they're able to do each year.

You may contact the court directly for special circumstances or events that are outside a public school. Many courts do accept these requests, depending on their resources.

When you submit a request, the court in your county is notified. Court processes for coordinating their outreach efforts vary. Don't hesitate to send us an email at judicialoutreach@jud.ca.gov if your request hasn't been responded to. Once a match is identified, you will get an email or text message (depending on your preference). Please respond at your earliest convenience. It is important you confirm the date and time quickly, otherwise the resource may be assigned to another request. Some courts give one week for teachers to respond before moving on to another match.

Email POD staff at judicialoutreach@jud.ca.gov or call us at 415-865-4546. Thank you!

Of course! Our judges support a variety of scenarios, but it depends on the court. Go ahead and submit details in the request form.

Lessons are available on the Lessons Library page. You may download and use it for instruction purposes or select one for a Judges in the Classroom visit.

The Chief Justice visits schools of Excellence. Schools of Distinction and Merit receive visits from judges in their community. In 2023 and 2024, the Award of Excellence were presented starting in September by Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero. This gave schools time to organize celebrations during Constitution Month, and around Constitution Day (September 17). Award program staff connected awarded schools with local judicial officers.

Each year, the applications are scored by a panel of approximately 12 judicial officers, educators, and civic learning experts. Most panelists are members of the Chief Justice's Power of Democracy Civic Learning Initiative. Every application is read and scored by no fewer than three judges, with an average score calculated and assigned. Applications scoring the highest are then reviewed by the entire panel. In cases where there is a tie, weight is applied to those schools who best demonstrate how they: overcome obstacles (campaign for policy change at the district level, i.e. lobbying for changes to the LCAP) involve students in campus leadership and decision-making that impacts campus life engage students in their community promote democracy and the three branches of government take advantage of programs like Judges in the Classroom to promote an understanding of the judicial branch; and or develop tracks for students to work towards the State Seal of Civic Engagement. Also remember, if your school is tied with another, an easy way to make sure you pull ahead is by inviting a judge to your classroom today!

A list of all past recipients since 2013 can be accessed here.

The Power of Democracy Civic Learning Initiative is always looking for new, innovative ideas to implement, promote, expand, and celebrate effective civics programming! So we ask you: "Teachers and students, if you were in a position to really change how civics reaches students in public school, where would you begin? " If you, your club or your class has an idea, tell us about it using the space below. Contact judicialoutreach@jud.ca.gov if you have questions. All ideas big and small are invited! The success of any initiative relies on support from like-minded stakeholders. Your ideas about connecting partners in pursuit of a shared goal are also welcome. Thank you for time...and ideas!