Law, Youth & Citizenship Program

1. Law, Youth & Citizenship Program A Statewide Law-Related & Civic Education Program of the New York State Bar Association Eileen Gerrish, Director

2. LYC 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.

3. For schools & teachers . . . • No-cost Training • Workshops, Superintendent’s Days, Professional Development • Summer Institutes • School Law Conferences • Classroom sets of books at no cost • Enrichment Programs • Online Resources • Help with Law Day & Constitution Day

4. 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

5. Law, Youth & Citizenship Programs

6. State Mock Trial Program Co-Sponsored by the New York Bar Foundation

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

8. Objectives: • Teach students ethics, civility and professionalism • Further students’ understanding of the law, court procedures and the legal system • Improve proficiency in basic life skills: listening, speaking, reading & reasoning

9. High school tournaments are held • Locally at county level • Regionally throughout the state • State tournament held in Albany each spring

10. In 2009, nearly 600 teams participated in the state Mock Trial Program

11. Elementary & Middle School • Cases available for classroom use • Mentors available to assist teachers • All past cases archived at lycny.org

12. We the People Programs • The Citizen and the Constitution • Project Citizen

13. 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

14. 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

15. Three levels of textbooks • Elementary • Middle grades • High School • Unique culminating activity: • Simulated congressional hearings • High School – state & national levels

16. Democracy is not a spectator sport . . . • Last unit in We the People introduces participative citizenship. • Project Citizen shows how to effectively participate

17. 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

18. What do students do in Project Citizen? • Identify public policy problems in their community • Select a problem for class study • Gather information on the problem to determine alternative policies • Select or create an appropriate public policy • Develop a plan of action for implementing the policy • Reflect on the learning experience

19. What do students do in Project Citizen? • Students prepare portfolio

20. What do students do in Project Citizen? • Students participate in a simulated legislative hearing.

21. Kids Changing the World • Kentucky – animal warden • Vermont – cigarette advertising • New York – youth centers, recycling, traffic problems, litter baskets

22. Project 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

23. Annual LYC Conference • 2009 Theme ~ Economy, Ecology, Equality • Substantive Seminars/workshops • Professional Development Credits • October 15-16- historic Fort William Henry on Lake George • Scholarships available

24. Summer 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.

25. Upcoming 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

26. “Made 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

27. Law, Youth & Citizenship Awards For Excellence in Law-Related/Civic Education

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

29. “Emil Zullo” Award • Given to a K-12 teacher who has demonstrated excellence in law-related/civic education • Applications available on LYC websitewww.lycny.org

30. 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

31. Civics Roadmap for NYS www.nyscms.org

32. All grade levels

35. Web site www.lycny.org