The Division for Public Education provides reliable information about the law and legal issues, including resources and programs for educators, students, journalists, legal professionals, opinion leaders, and the public to advance public understanding of law and its role in society.
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The U.S. Supreme Court
About the Supreme Court
The Supreme Court plays a critical role in protecting American democracy. The ABA is committed to educating the public about how the Court works, engaging lawyers with professional development resources, and providing context on notable cases that could have a lasting impact on society.
The Division fulfills its mission to advance public understanding of law and society in three ways: educating the public about civic responsibilities, the law, the courts, and the legal system; empowering teachers by providing resources that incorporate law and civics into K-12 curricula; and engaging students through thought-provoking resources and learning experiences to broaden understanding of law and government.
In recent years, tensions in our democratic system have revealed deep divisions in American society. These divisions are aggravated by incivility in public discourse and insufficient understanding among many people about the Constitution and the way American government works. Together, however, we can collaborate to overcome our differences, resolve our disputes, and preserve our democracy and republic. To that end, we call on members of the legal profession to lead the way in promoting civics, civility, and collaboration—the cornerstones of our democracy.
The Teacher's Portal is designed to help teacher's educate their students about the law. These resources were developed by the ABA Division for Public Education. They include lessons plans, programs, publications and information on professional development.
The Division for Public Education coordinates annual events that celebrate and promote public awareness of the law, such as Law Day and the Silver Gavel Awards. We also offer civic education resources and programs for students and teachers, which include: Summer Institute for Teachers, Civics and Law Academy, and the National LRE Conference.
The Division works with various courts and legal organizations to provide enriching professional development opportunities for middle and high school teachers seeking to engage students in the workings of the courts, landmark case studies, and the rule of law.
Generous donor support provides valuable tools to educate, empower, and engage the public to promote understanding of law and its vital role in our society.
The nation’s founders created the judiciary as an independent, co-equal branch of government to ensure it is protected from outside political influences. The ABA is committed to upholding the Constitution, the judicial process and equal justice under the law.
Insights on Law & Society is a magazine for teachers of civics, government, history, and law. Each issue of Insights Magazine explores a law-related topic from several angles, provides lesson ideas and highlights real life students and practitioners
YourLaw is a four-page client newsletter written with your clients in mind. Each quarterly issue contains articles that alert clients to a wide range of legal issues that may affect them.
Law Matters is the Division's monthly electronic newsletter. Each issue reports on developments, ideas, programs, events, and resources in the field of law-related education (LRE).
The rule of law is a set of principles, or ideals, for ensuring an orderly and just society. Many countries throughout the world strive to uphold the rule of law where no one is above the law, everyone is treated equally under the law, everyone is held accountable to the same laws, there are clear and fair processes for enforcing laws, there is an independent judiciary, and human rights are guaranteed for all.
Do you have questions about legal matters that occur in everyday life? The Public Portal will walk you through a number of legal matters that occur in everyday life. Take advantage of the legal FAQ's, publications and The Law Issues for Consumers.
The Teacher's Portal is designed to help teacher's educate their students about the law. These resources were developed by the ABA Division for Public Education. They include lessons plans, programs, publications and information on professional development.
ABA Legal Fact Check seeks to help the media and public find dependable answers and explanations to sometimes confusing legal questions and issues. It is produced by the ABA Media Relations and Strategic Communications Division and emphasizes case and statutory law and other legal precedents to separate legal fact from fiction. Each ABA Legal Fact Check is routinely reviewed by subject-matter experts prior to release, and does not represent official policies or positions of the American Bar Association, its Board of Governors, or its House of Delegates.
Public Education staff is available to provide you with the resources you need to help further public understanding of the rule of law. Simply email us at publiceducation@americanbar.org, call 312.988.5735, or click on the link to contact our Committees or staff.