American UniversityWashington College of Law

Street Law Program

Pilot Proposal

For the Academic Period of Fall 2004

Preamble

The American University Washington College of Law Street Law Program is a program established to introduce young people to practical legal problems, contemporary legal issues, and the ramifications of breaking the law in order to function as citizens in all aspects of everyday America. The course specifically addresses legal responsibility and rights in the areas of contractual obligations, first time landlord issues, tort associations between citizens, police interaction, proper defensive tactics and social engagements, and other similar areas.

Program Purpose/Goals

The course's main goal is to inform students of the law so they may properly function as citizens in everyday life. Furthermore, we wish to engage the students in an intellectually stimulating and fun manner to promote interest in the law, its ramifications, and its many facets. With that, students are able to identify and recognize how laws affect people.

Moreover, we wish to provide students with a sense of belonging in society through empowerment with knowledge of the law. By providing students with a non-adversarial view of the law, we provide an understanding of the fundamental principles of authority, fairness, justice and responsibility that underlie our legal system. By demystifying the law, young people can develop a positive attitude towards the law, reduce juvenile delinquency, and become catalysts of change through personal proactive involvement.

History

Throughout the last 30 years, street law programs have spread to all of the DC public high schools, nationally, and even globally.

30% of law schools today offer similar programs.

The approach is to offer a practical, participatory education about law and human rights.

Course Topics

Proposed Curriculum Intro: Critical Examination

of Legal Rights and Responsibilities

Torts & Legal Defenses Police Interaction:

Relevant Constitutional Amendments

Contracts & Turning 18 Landlord/Tenant Career Opportunities in

Law

Other possible topics High school requirements Death Penalty Juvenile Justice Mediation/Conflict

Resolution Legal History & Legal

Procedure (full section) International Law Administrative Law Human Rights Consumer Rights

The Student Before & After

Walking In The only prerequisite

is that the student is willing to see and learn the law as it affects him/her.

Preferred age group is junior grade level and above.

Walking Out Improved oral skills Better presentation

skills Higher level research

ability Enhanced analytical

processing Experienced public

speaking

Developing the Partnership: High School Administration

ClassroomStudent baseBrief training on what to expect as

incoming teachersGuidelines on appropriate grading

techniques and overview of current administrative processes

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Developing the Partnership: Students

Student participation is 40% of the grade. One of the goals is to engage the students intellectually. This requires more of a quid pro quo interaction. While students are not expected to brief a case as if they were in law school, they may be asked questions such as, "How does this case relate to something that you have seen in life?" Or more simply, “How do you feel about the result?" A student may also be asked his/her opinion should factual differences exist and how that changes their analysis.

Students will be taught to think critically, analyze cases and law, but most importantly to reflect on what they think the law should entail.

Students will be expected to draft a letter to a Congress person concerning an area of law. These letters WILL be mailed.

There will be a midterm and a final exam. Teachers may assign other short papers or assignments to help

with participation grading.

Developing the Partnership: WCL Instructors

Two teachers per classroomOn time and available for the entire termProfessional attitude and behaviorNO LEGAL ADVICEAbide by school policy

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Specific Opportunities

FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS Provide a practical understanding of law and the

legal system useful to students in their everyday lives

Improve understanding of the fundamental principles and values of our Constitution, laws, and legal system

Promote awareness of current legal issues and controversies

Encourage effective citizen participation in our legal system

Bring about greater justice, tolerance, and fairness Develop a willingness and an ability to resolve

disputes through informal and, where necessary, formal resolution mechanisms

Improve basic skills including critical thinking and reasoning, communication, observation, and problem solving

Examine and clarify attitudes toward the role that law, lawyers, law enforcement officers, and the legal system play in our society

Expose students to the many vocational opportunities within the legal system

FOR LAW STUDENTS Educate law students in the practical

applications of legal concepts Provide law students with an opportunity to apply

and refine lawyering skills, including communicating with a large audience, organizing their thoughts, directing the flow of ideas, answering wide-ranging questions, and articulating legal arguments

Develop an appreciation for the multi-faceted role and responsibilities of the lawyer in the community

Sensitize law students to sources and resolutions of community legal problems, particularly for youth

Practice time management and planning, through lesson planning, and classroom management

Effect the goals of the program for high school students

Expose law students to careers in law-related education and education in general

Earn externship credit, fulfill pro bono pledge hours, or provide goodwill

Other Opportunities

Possible Guests WCL professors Politicians Judges Agency members Instructors from other

schools Police officers Practicing attorneys Other

Possible Activities Entering moot

competitions with Georgetown’s clinical programs

Endorsement by the Maryland Bar Association

Administrative Matters

Develop procedure so any issues that may arise are resolved appropriately and effectively.

Develop monthly feedback/evaluation procedures with constructive improvement ideas.

Teaching Techniques

Limited lecturing Case studies Activity-oriented lesson plans to promote interaction

Socratic method Role playing Mock hearings

Guest speakers Homework assignments: Readings and possible short

papers or other assignments as the teacher deems necessary

Student critical examination of key issues Student research for the letter to the Congress person Midterm and final exams

Major Milestones

WCL & high school commitmentVolunteer commitment

Training

Logistics Finalization of the course materials Transportation for instructors Classrooms/students Extra funding

Issues to Address

Full funding

High school commitment

Curriculum solidification

Logistics

Key Dates

Course selection for high school students Curriculum solidification Commitment by high schools, WCL, and volunteers Materials availability for students Initial Banquet Start date Tests End date Feedback/evaluation Continuation procedures

Long-Term Plans

Offer high school students the opportunity to learn up-to-date laws while stimulating their interest in current and future issues that rule their lives. Furthermore, promote personal involvement in that process.

Develop a program similar to current street law programs for WCL students that has more breadth for particular law student interests and opportunities to engage in research or other possible avenues.

Expand into other law schools nationally that have similar goals to create and foster a networking opportunity for both law school and high school students. Such a network can be maintained by entering into cross school competitions similar to or in addition to existing programs.

Next Steps

High school commitmentWCL commitmentVolunteer commitmentLogistics

Finalization of the course materials Transportation for instructors Classrooms/students Extra funding

First Words

Federal, State, and Local,In Street Law we are vocal.

To respect the law you must not break it.

You have freedom, so why not take it.

As we change, so do our laws,While Government fixes our original flaws.

Freedom of speech lets us express

The ideas and thoughts formerly suppressed.

We have the right against self incrimination,Which protects us from an unjust nation.

Our leaders are the people's choice,The right to vote lets us express our voice.

Our laws, our rules, our constitution,

They teach us morals, they give us solutions.

Through mock trials and other simulations,Street law has taught us how to respect our nation.

These lifelong lessons teach us determination.

Lincoln Park High School - Street Law Class Seventh Period