Law, Youth & Citizenship Program

A Statewide Law-Related & A Statewide Law-Related & Civic Education Program Civic Education Program

of the New York State Bar Associationof the New York State Bar Association

Eileen Gerrish, Director

LYC MissionLYC Mission

The mission of the Law, Youth and Citizenship program is to facilitate and

enrich the civic commitment to ~ and involvement in ~

democracy for all.

For schools & teachers . . .• No-cost Training No-cost Training

– Workshops, Superintendent’s Days, Workshops, Superintendent’s Days, Professional DevelopmentProfessional Development

• Summer InstitutesSummer Institutes• School Law ConferencesSchool Law Conferences• Classroom sets of books at no costClassroom sets of books at no cost• Enrichment ProgramsEnrichment Programs• Online ResourcesOnline Resources• Help with Law Day & Constitution DayHelp with Law Day & Constitution Day

Partners

• NY State Dept. of Education• Newspapers in Education• Center for Civic Education• The NY Bar Foundation• The NY Consortium for Civic Learning• NYSSBA• NYS Teacher Centers• NYSCSS

Law, Youth & Law, Youth & CitizenshipCitizenship

ProgramsPrograms

State Mock Trial Program

Co-Sponsored by the Co-Sponsored by the New York Bar FoundationNew York Bar Foundation

Mock Trial Program

• New York has the oldest, and one of the largest, Mock Trial Programs in the nation.

Objectives:• Teach students ethics, civility and Teach students ethics, civility and

professionalismprofessionalism

• Further students’ understanding of the law, Further students’ understanding of the law, court procedures and the legal systemcourt procedures and the legal system

• Improve proficiency in basic life skills: Improve proficiency in basic life skills: listening, speaking, reading & reasoninglistening, speaking, reading & reasoning

High school tournaments are held

• Locally at county levelLocally at county level

• Regionally throughout the stateRegionally throughout the state

• State tournament held in Albany State tournament held in Albany each springeach spring

In 2009, nearly 600 teams In 2009, nearly 600 teams participated in the state participated in the state

Mock Trial ProgramMock Trial Program

Elementary & Middle School

• Cases available for classroom use

• Mentors available to assist teachers

• All past cases archived at lycny.org

We the People Programs

• The Citizen and the Constitution

• Project Citizen

Center for Civic Education

• Funded by an Act of Congress

• Part of the NCLB legislation

• Bi-partisan

• Nationally acclaimed

• NY has the third largest program in the nation

The Citizen and the Constitution

• Free textbooks available

• Free Professional Development/Summer Institutes

• Simulated Congressional Hearings

• At high school level, state winners go to Washington to testify on Capitol Hill

• Three levels of textbooks– Elementary– Middle grades– High School

• Unique culminating activity:– Simulated congressional hearings– High School – state & national levels

Democracy is not a spectator sport . . .

• Last unit in We the People introduces participative citizenship.

• Project Citizen shows how to effectively participate

Project Citizen

• Emphasis on Public Policy

• Free Textbooks

• Free Professional Development/Summer Institutes

• Showcase in Spring- Albany

• New Level II book targets high school– PIG, Government, AP classes,

service learning

What do students do in What do students do in Project Citizen?Project Citizen?

1.1. Identify public policy problems in their Identify public policy problems in their communitycommunity

2.2. Select a problem for class studySelect a problem for class study3.3. Gather information on the problem to Gather information on the problem to

determine alternative policiesdetermine alternative policies4.4. Select or create an appropriate public Select or create an appropriate public

policypolicy5.5. Develop a plan of action for Develop a plan of action for

implementing the policyimplementing the policy6.6. Reflect on the learning experienceReflect on the learning experience

What do students do in What do students do in Project Citizen?Project Citizen?

• Students prepare portfolio

What do students do in What do students do in Project Citizen?Project Citizen?

• Students participate in a simulated legislative hearing.

Kids Changing the World

• Kentucky – animal warden

• Vermont – cigarette advertising

• New York – youth centers, recycling, traffic problems, litter baskets

Project CitizenProject Citizen

• Middle School – classes enter portfolios in regional showcases– On display for the NY State Showcase– Best state entry goes to National

Showcase

• High School – multimedia portfolio– State winner chosen

• 2009 Theme ~ Economy, Ecology, Equality

Annual LYC Conference

•Substantive Seminars/workshops•Professional Development Credits•October 15-16- historic Fort William Henry on Lake George•Scholarships available

Summer InstitutesSummer Institutes

• Held regionally– Long Island– Western & Central NY– Albany– Upstate NY

• Funded by grants/most free of charge• Content is standards-based across the

curriculum• Forensics, civics, constitutional issues, law-

related (LRE) subjects, etc.

Upcoming EventsUpcoming Events• May 27 – Project Citizen State Showcase –

Albany

• June 29-July 3- Long Island Summer Institute – Northport

• July 8 – Constitution Day Workshop – Rochester

• July 28 -29 – We the People Mini-Institute – Wyoming County

• Oct. 14-16 – LYC Conference – Lake George

““Made to Order” WorkshopsMade to Order” Workshops

• LYC staff works with school district personnel and teacher centers to develop the content and materials for these workshops.

• There is no/low charge

• Books and materials – no cost

• All instructors certified NYS teachers

Law, Youth & Law, Youth & CitizenshipCitizenship

Awards For Excellence in Awards For Excellence in Law-Related/Civic Law-Related/Civic

EducationEducation

Distinguished Service AwardDistinguished Service Award

• Given each year to an attorney who has demonstrated excellence in Law-Related/Civic Education– Service must be with K-12 Students

““Emil Zullo” AwardEmil Zullo” Award

• Given to a K-12 teacher who has demonstrated excellence in law-related/civic education

• Applications available on LYC websitewww.lycny.org

How to take advantage of these opportunities & resources

• Call us

• Email us

• Check our website frequently

• Use our resources and expertise for Professional Development events

• Get involved

Civics Roadmap for NYS

www.nyscms.org

All grade levels

Web siteWeb site

www.lycny.org