Q&A with Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor

Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, Collection of the Supreme Court of the United States

Justice O'Connor has been active over the years with a number of ABA groups. Your ABA was fortunate recently to get a chance to interview her about two of her current interests, civic education and promotion of the Rule of Law around the world.

You've been speaking out recently on the importance of civic education. What are your concerns?

I believe schools have an essential role in educating the country's young people for their place in a functioning democracy. We know that the work of our democracy depends on knowledge and learned behavior – it doesn't just happen – and the schools are where much of that teaching and learning has to take place. In recent years, civic learning – social studies – has been pushed aside, and two-thirds of 12th-graders scored below "proficient" on the last national civics assessment in 1998. We can't expect our democracy to perform well if students do not learn about basic concepts like checks and balances and the separation of powers among the three branches of government.

You recently co-authored an op-ed in the Washington Post urging a greater emphasis on civic learning in our nation's schools. As you noted in that piece, schools are already under pressure to enhance math and science education to maintain our global competitiveness. What would you say to a parent or teacher who is concerned about making room for more civic learning in our schools?

This isn't a zero-sum game. There is no reason that we can't teach reading and writing with material about American history and government, even in the elementary grades. Research shows that civic learning contributes to a school environment more conducive to learning other subjects. Schools that pay attention to civic learning are more likely to build character traits and foster the attitudes and relationships that are essential for students' success in the workplace and in society; they are more likely to bring to the classroom the sort of real life context that students find more engaging and relevant.

You have supported the ABA's efforts to build fairer, more transparent legal systems since the rule of law effort began following the fall of the Berlin Wall. What are your thoughts on the movement today?

We can be justifiably proud of ABA CEELI's efforts to build better and fairer legal systems in central and eastern Europe, and Eurasia, since 1990. The best evidence is all the countries in the region which are now members of the European Union. There is still work to be done but good progress has been made.

In your opinion, how does the rule of law effort matter to the average American lawyer?

I hope every lawyer cares about promoting the concept of the rule of law across the globe. It offers the prospect of peace and cooperation in place of armed conflict and repression.

Are there particular moments or milestones during your work on the issue which hold special significance?

One milestone in the ABA CEELI efforts came after the elections in Ukraine, which then were challenged as fraudulent after the so called "Orange Revolution." The Supreme Court in Ukraine eventually heard the case, allowed the proceedings to be shown on television, and declared the results invalid. The result was a new and fair election. The judicial training provided by CEELI was demonstrably helpful.

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