NCJ Number
97610
Date Published
1983
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This paper discusses the need for law-related education in the Nation's schools, the goals of such a program, a study documenting its success, and ways attorneys and the Nation's largest law fraternity are contributing to the program.
Abstract
The study of law is necessary because law will pervade every student's life, conventional civics instruction is ineffective, and law-related education can overcome alienation from the legal system. Although programs in law-related education vary in their focus, most aim to provide students with information about the law, an understanding of the legal system, and problemsolving and critical thinking skills. A variety of curriculum materials have been developed to aid in program implementation. A recently completed evaluation of law-related education concluded that it can result in a significant reduction of juvenile delinquency. Phi Alpha Delta, the Nation's largest professional law fraternity, has developed a lawyer-educator partnership program to establish continuing relationships between the legal and educational communities. The fraternity has also served as a catalyst in the development of other models and in getting interested lawyers, judges, and members of local and State bar associations to help teach law in the schools. Major accomplishments have been achieved in the past decade. The next decade should see lawyers working in partnership with educators to broaden student knowledge of the law.