What is Law-Related Education?

The Law-Related Act of 1978
According to the Law-Related Act of 1978, LRE is "education to equip non-lawyers with the knowledge and skills pertaining to the law, the legal process, and the legal system, and fundamental principles and values on which these are based." The U.S. Department of Education regulations supporting the Act add that LRE helps students "respond effectively to the law and legal issues in our complex and changing society."


LRE Today
Today, LRE embraces a rich and varied array of programs for all grade levels. These programs share a common goal of fostering the knowledge, skills, and values students need to function effectively in a society defined by its democratic institutions, pluralism, and the rule of law. LRE strives to develop the active citizens a democratic society requires: those who can understand, live in, and contribute positively to the civic communities to which they belong.

National Database of LRE Programs


Looking for information about law-related education programs in your area? The National Database of Law-Related Education Programs is a great source for information about programs and organizations focused on educating youth and the general public about the law.

Do you manage programs designed to educate the public about the law? Add your program to the database today.


LRE Around the Nation – Feature LRE Program

The Florida Bar

Tallahassee, FL

Law-Related Education Committee
The Law Related Education Committee promotes effective K-12 law-related education programs in Florida's schools, with an emphasis on teaching young citizens respect for the legal system, and for people and their property. The committee seeks to maintain and enhance the cooperative efforts of attorneys, educators, and law enforcement personnel in the field of law related education in Florida.
During the 2009-2010 school year, the Committee developed several new programs to promote law-related education in Florida's schools. One new project, undertaken in partnership with The Florida Bar's Committee on Judicial Independence, was a legal forum held in March 2010 at Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad Law Center in Fort Lauderdale. The forum explored the Fourth Amendment as it relates to an actual case involving a speeding car. Audience members ranged from teens to law students to adults who had been recruited to participate. Another new project was the development of a Legal Guide for New Adults YouTube video contest for high school students. The Committee, in partnership with the Law Related Education Association, develops and supports Florida's high school Mock Trial and Moot Court competitions. It also prepares the Legal Guide for New Adults and the So you want to be a lawyer pamphlets.

To learn more about this state bar association's great programs, visit The Florida Bar .

    Would you like to see your organization's programs featured? Complete the LRE Around the Nation Submission Form today.

Resources

Essentials of Law-Related Education
Civic Education Tool Kit
Establishing Links to Schools
Everybody Wins: Mediation in Schools
Police-School Partnerships
How Courts Work
Supreme Court Center
Glossary of Law-Related Terms

Advertisement

Follow on Twitter     Join us on Facebook

What is Law-Related Education Network?

LRE Network
The network of LRE leaders has been enhancing civic education in and out of the classroom since the founding of the LRE movement in the 1960s. The LRE Network website provides members of the LRE community with information about national, state, and local LRE programs; resources, such as publications and fact sheets; professional development opportunities; and a database of law-related programs around the nation.


Who Can Use Network Resources?
The tools listed below serve K-12 schools, college and universities, and the general public. Educators, attorneys, college-level faculty, and community organizations will find the National Database of LRE Programs and list of state LRE coordinators helpful as you continue to work to improve public understanding about the law.

State LRE Contacts

Related Links

Civic Mission of Schools Report
Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement
National Standards for Civics and Government
NCSS Curriculum Standards for Social Studies


Publications

Law Matters Newsletter
Technical Assistance Bulletins
ABA Legal Guide Series
ABA Dialogue Series
Focus on Law Studies
Insights on Law & Society
Preview of United States Supreme Court Cases


Programs and Events

Law Day (May 1)
Constitution Day (September 17)
2009 Summer Institute for Teachers
2009 National LRE Leadership Conference
National Online Youth Summit
ABA Public Program Series
Leon Jaworski Public Program Series
National Freedom of Speech Week


Contact Information

Rina Shah
Program Manager
American Bar Association
Division for Public Education
321 N. Clark Street, 20.2
Chicago, IL 60654-7598
E-mail: shahr@staff.abanet.org