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What
is law-related education?
Education for citizenship in a constitutional democracy is the main
purpose of LRE in elementary and secondary schools. Given the fundamental
place of law in American society, every citizen needs to know how
the legal and political systems function, how the law affects them,
and how they can affect it. LRE is the practical application of
law to daily living; it is not specialized legal education. It is
intended to develop an understanding of the values and principles
on which the legal system is based.
In 1978, major leaders in LRE described for a federal government
report what law-related education means: "those organized learning
experiences that provide students . . . the knowledge and understanding,
skills, attitudes, and appreciations necessary to respond
effectively to the law and legal issues in our complex and changing
society." Law-related education is a unique blending of substance
and strategy; students learn substantive information about laws,
the legal system, and their rights and responsibilities through
strategies that promote cooperative learning, critical thinking,
and positive interaction between young people and adults.
To help youth lead safe, healthy lives, LRE takes a leading role
in the war against juvenile crime and violence. It furnishes creative
and positive outlets for young people to serve their communities
and helps them learn how to manage conflict in socially acceptable
ways. LRE also develops partnerships with other successful community-
and school-based violence prevention programs. And, LRE helps kids
develop hope for the future.
Why should law-related education
be included in the curriculum?
Reasons for including LRE in the curriculum include
(1)
the development of knowledge,
Attaining
knowledge of law-related concepts and facts is necessary for
an understanding of our history, government, and economics.
Sources of law, functions of law, legal processes, legal roles,
and legal principles (e.g., justice, equality, authority,
freedom, order, etc.) are essential elements of the social
studies curriculum. Thus, LRE is a necessary component of
a sound social studies curriculum. LRE increases student's
knowledge of government, the judicial system, and the rights
and responsibilities of citizenship in a constitutional democracy.
LRE enables students to apply their understanding of the legal
system to practical situations they encounter in their daily
lives.
(2)the
development of critical thinking and participation skills needed
for citizenship,
Development
of critical thinking and participation skills. Law-related
education contributes to the acquisition of critical thinking
skills. These are skills which demand the careful analysis
of statements and positions; they are questioning strategies
that must be developed in order to participate responsibly
and effectively in our democratic system of government. LRE
helps students develop an objective, constructive, and questioning
attitude toward the information they receive regarding public
and private issues. There also is evidence that LRE contributes
to the development of skills in civic participation and decision
making. Because students actively participate in law-related
instruction, they learn to examine issues, communicate ideas
clearly and succinctly, conduct discussions, and value the
viewpoints of others. They learn to make individual and group
decisions and to evaluate those decisions in the light of
other important social and political values
and interests.
(3)
the development of positive attitudes, and
Development
of positive attitudes. Positive attitudes about the law, our
system of justice,and responsible citizenship may be enhanced
through LRE programs. The content of LRE programs is directly
related to the lives of students. The variety of interactive
methods of instruction (e.g., small group work, mock trials,
simulations, case studies) involve students positively in
the learning process. Law-related educators frequently report
that students seem to "value LRE classes as relevant,
useful, and interesting; that the classroom interaction is
rewarding--offering students who had difficulties mastering
the subject matter of other courses opportunities to participate
successfully." Heightened interest and positive attitudes
of students in LRE programs may transfer to other courses.
(4)
the prevention of delinquency.
Prevention
of delinquency. A study conducted by the Social Science Education
Consortium and the Center for Action Research indicated that
LRE programs, when properly conducted, can reduce tendencies
toward delinquent behavior and improve a range of attitudes
related to responsible citizenship.2 The research indicated
that successful students in LRE programs are less likely to
associate with delinquent peers, use violence as a means of
resolving conflict, and refrain from reporting criminal behavior
to
authorities.
from
the Youth for Justice LRE Awareness Manual, Constitutional
Rights Foundation-Chicago, July 1993
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