Alameda County

Civic Learning Collaborative 

The Alameda County Civic Learning Collaborative (CLC) is a partnership of the Alameda County Superior Courts, the Alameda County Bar Association, and the Alameda County Office of Education (on behalf of the county's 18 school districts) dedicated to supporting civic readiness.   The CLC convenes, promotes and supports meaningful, relevant civic learning opportunities for young people across Alameda County.  

May is Law Month! 

The Alameda County Superior Court will be hosting a variety of events in honor of Law Day (May 1) and Law Month (May). 

High School Student Receptions: Lunch and discussion: "What do you think makes a good judge?" High School classes invited! Lunch provided. RSVP, May 1st. For more information, download the Flyer.  

• • North County Reception: May 16, 2023, 12:00 - 1:30 PM, Oakland
  • South County Reception: May 18, 2023 12:00 - 1:30 PM, Hayward 

Picture Contest:  What Does Democracy Look Like to You?  Student submissions due May 1, 2023.  For more information, see Flyer

• • Elementary Schools- $50 Gift Card for the Winner
  • Middle Schools - $100 Gift Card for the Winner
  • High Schools - $200 Gift Card for the Winner

Civic Action Award Programs

New: President's Volunteer Service Award

The CLC was recently approved as a sponsor for the Presidents Volunteer Service Award!  All high school students in Alameda County are eligible to apply.  There are three tiers--Gold, Silver and Bronze--based on the number of verified hours of community service completed. Click here to apply for the award.  Applications are due by March 31st 2023.  

State Seal of Civic Engagement

Featured Program: Judges and Attorneys in the Classroom 

History Teachers: Have you ever wondered what it would be like for you and your students to interact directly with senior Attorneys and Superior Court Judges, around relevant content?   The Alameda County Bar Association, in collaboration with the Courts, has developed an easy way to do just that.  Teachers simply choose from a menu of topics, and indicate a preferred date and time, and pairs of Attorneys and Judges join the class via zoom (ideally in person in the near future) for a 30-50 minute session.  Topics include: 

• How to become a judge/attorney
• Intro to voting and the electoral college
• The three branches of government + the Fourth Estate
• Right to protest and civil disobedience
• 100th Anniversary of the 19^th Amendment
• Bill of Rights

Teachers who have taken advantage of this opportunity report that they and their students find the experience stimulating and enriching. Sign up today! 

Why Civic Readiness? Why Now?

Although civic readiness has long been seen as central to a functioning democracy, events of the past few years laid bare the urgent need for young people to be more equipped than ever with the civic knowledge, skills and dispositions needed to navigate our increasingly complex, tumultuous socio-political landscape, and to actively contribute to making the world a better place.  While public schools have long been expected to shoulder that responsibility, the Civic Learning Collaborative recognizes that schools, still grappling with the effects of a pandemic, are a bit, shall we say, busy--and thus need all the support they can get!   

WATCH: USC Dean of Education Pedro Noguera on "How Educators can Revitalize Civics"

LISTEN:  Ever wonder what the Supreme Court justices are like, and how they think? -->LISTEN: Supreme Court hears oral arguments on Mississippi abortion law

Civic Engagement Resources

• Civic Learning Resource Padlet
• Resources to Support Civic Engagement (from the CDE)
• Civic Learning Award for California Public Schools

Civic Engagement: Voting! 

There are several great opportunities for schools in Alameda County to engage students in civic learning activities specifically related to voting.  

• Register/Pre-Register to Vote!
  • Online pre-registration is available for eligible 16 and 17 year olds by visiting registertovote.ca.gov. California youth who pre-register to vote will have their registration become active once they turn 18 years old.
• Poll Workers.  High School students as young as 16 are eligible to serve as paid poll workers.  "Earn as you learn!"
• Voter Registration Drive Tuesday, September 20 is National Voter Registration Day, and thus a good day to host a voter Registration day at your school
• Democracy Central: A Teacher’s Guide to California’s Statewide Elections. Loads of useful instructional resources regarding voting and elections

Graduates of 2023- Free One year membership at the Commonwealth Club!

If you are graduating with the high school class of 2023, you qualify for a free one-year membership in the Commonwealth Club. Stay civically engaged and get access to all of the speakers and resources.  Click Here to activate your membership!