/ Source: National Center for State Courts
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WACH, AP) -- Just this once, teachers are encouraging South Carolina middle and high school students to keep reading their comics in class.
The state Supreme Court says South Carolina is starting to use "Justice Case Files," a series of graphic novels intended to teach students about civics. Officials say South Carolina is among the first states to use that program along with iCivics, an Internet-based project established by retired U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor.
"South Carolina is dedicated to educating our students about how our courts work," Chief Justice Toal said. "I'm proud that South Carolina is a pilot state for Justice O'Connor's iCivics project. The 'Justice Case Files' graphic novels complement and build on that project and help students understand the critical role courts play in a democratic society."
The National Center for State Courts developed story lines for "Justice Case Files," and social studies teachers crafted lesson plans to accompany each one.
The books hit on topics like Internet piracy, identity theft and jury duty. Officials say two South Carolina law firms — Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough and Gallivan White & Boyd — bought and donated more than 3,000 of the books.
(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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