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PA Courts Expand Civics Education Resources with New America250 Materials

September 14, 2026

As part of the America250 commemoration, the Pennsylvania Courts have expanded their civics education resources with new materials that help students understand how Pennsylvania’s courts developed, their place in American history and the ways they continue to shape civic life.

“Learning about Pennsylvania’s judicial legacy can help young people recognize the vital role our courts play in protecting individual rights, resolving conflicts and strengthening communities,” said Chief Justice of Pennsylvania Debra Todd. “It is our hope that these resources help make that learning experience engaging and accessible, giving students the opportunity to explore Pennsylvania’s rich history while building a stronger understanding of how our courts serve the people of the Commonwealth today.”

Designed for use in classrooms and educational outreach, the new materials give educators, judges and court staff additional tools for engaging students in conversations about Pennsylvania’s judicial branch of government and the role of the courts. They include:

• Evolution of Justice in PA and the U.S. – A timeline tracing the development of Pennsylvania’s courts alongside key milestones in U.S. history.
• Courts in Your Community – An activity that helps students connect with the courts and judicial services that affect their everyday lives.
• Understanding the PA Courts Kahoot! Games – Interactive online quizzes for primary and secondary students that offer a fun way to test their knowledge of Pennsylvania’s court system.

These additions join a growing collection of court and civics education resources already available on the Courts’ civics education webpage – including materials previously created for the PA Supreme Court’s 300th anniversary on the History of the Court, Top 10 Interesting Facts, Important Court Cases, Early Justices and Lawyers and more.

Learn more and access the full resource library at www.pacourts.us/civics-ed.

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Media Contact: Casey Scheffler, 610-425-1712