The San Francisco Chronicle has published a piece by Justice O'Connor on the importance of civic learning. She observes:

"We need intelligent and engaged citizens. This country faces daunting economic and policy challenges. In discussing those challenges, we often hear politicians speak of the burdens on our children and on our children's children.

But we must not think simply of the burdens on the next generation. We must also think, proactively and constructively, of the skills that we hope to impart to the next generation. How best can we equip our children and our children's children to tackle the challenges that they will inherit? We must equip them by teaching them the knowledge and skills of informed and engaged citizenship."

Read more at the San Francisco Chronicle.