A month-long moot court program in New York City lets students prosecute — and defend — cases, offering real-world lessons in how government works.

The group of more than 40 conservative organizations met for the first time on Wednesday. The initiative is aimed at celebrations of the nation's founding next summer.

Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, whose funeral is Tuesday, is being remembered as a Supreme Court trailblazer. After retiring from the bench in 2006, she worked to expand civics education in schools.

The week's turmoil on Capitol Hill was one for the history books — and that has made for some very timely discussions in high school civics classes.