Street Law in Community Colleges A law-based civic learning program for community colleges

What is Street Law? Street Law is practical law – the law people need to know in their everyday lives, on the streets, and in the communities where they live. Street Law, Inc. develops law, democracy, and human rights education programs throughout the U.S. and around the world.

What is Street Law? (cont.) Street Law, Inc. is an outgrowth of a clinical program developed at Georgetown Law School in the 1970s, in which law students teach interactive lessons about law and public policy to high school students. Today, more than 75 U.S. law schools offer Street Law programs. Participating law students teach in classroom and community-based settings. Special Street Law programs have been developed for vulnerable youth populations. Street Law staff have worked in all states and in more than 40 countries.

Street Law in Community Colleges A law-based civics program provides community college students with innovative classroom and community- based learning. The program develops problem solving, advocacy, and leadership skills; and promotes community awareness and participation. Credit-courses: credits transfer to four year institutions; satisfies a social science or humanities requirement. May be cross listed in sociology, political science, business, and criminal justice.

Substantive focus on emerging interdisciplinary topics not covered in depth in any single course, including: –Family law –Immigration law –Housing law –Consumer law –Employment law Deepens knowledge of community agencies; how government works at local, state, and federal levels; and the roles of private organizations in the legal process. Street Law in Community Colleges (cont.)

Why This Course Matters Promotes student involvement in local community issues Flexible curriculum that adapts to emphasize current priorities of each campus Greater experiential learning opportunities create a more meaningful college learning experience Expected increase in emphasis on civic learning in higher education nationwide Street Law representatives meet with White House director of public outreach Will Jawando to discuss Street Law's community college initiative.

Law-Related Careers Students participating in the civic learning program meet and work with professionals from a variety of law-related fields including judges, lawyers, law students, agency staff, and law enforcement personnel. In the community-based component of the program, students see the law in action.

Workforce development and civic engagement are interconnected Oral communication and listening skills Creative thinking Public problem solving Ability to work effectively in diverse groups Leadership/advocacy skills

Who should take Street Law? Students interested in in legal topics, advocacy, leadership, and community problem-solving Students who like to learn by doing Students interested in developing community, agency, and business contacts

Who should teach Street Law? Criminal justice, sociology, legal studies/paralegal training, legal environment of business, and political science faculty interested in legal issues, innovative teaching methods, and integrating community learning. Faculty interested in creating stronger partnerships with local government agencies, community programs, and business organizations.

Supporting Materials Street Law: Understanding Law and Legal Issues, McGraw-Hill, 2012 Online teacher's edition Classroom Guide to Mock Trials and Moot Courts Special materials available to community college faculty at professional development seminars: – course syllabi – sample exam questions – model research paper assignments – model community projects – sample letters to community partners – access to a social network for Street Law-trained faculty

Community Colleges Piloting this Course in AY 2011–2012 IL: Harold Washington College MD: Howard Community College VT: Community College of Vermont (Brattleboro) MA: Boston Urban College & Bunker Hill Community College (Boston) TN: Pellissippi State Community College (Knoxville, TN) DC: University of the District of Columbia

End of Course Survey Street Law provides each instructor with an end of course survey that each student completes. Street Law is compiling national data from the course. Surveys from the fall 2011 pilot programs indicate –Students have greater confidence in their ability to advocate for themselves. –Students have greater willingness to participate in their communities. –Students believe that courses such as this one will make them more willing to complete their degree. –94% of students recommend the course.

Interested in learning more? Contact: Xinia Bermudez