Law-related education defined as citizenship education for a constitutional democracy¶

Theory · All theories
Evidence · no claims cited

Description¶

The digest defines LRE as education for citizenship rather than specialized legal training. It cites the 1978 federal Study Group definition of LRE as "those organized learning experiences that provide students and educators with opportunities to develop the knowledge and understanding, skills, attitudes and appreciations necessary to respond effectively to the law and legal issues in our complex and changing society". Central program ideas concern why legal procedures exist and how they resolve disputes.

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• Programs must address knowledge, skills, attitudes, and appreciations needed to respond to law and legal issues

Constraints¶

• Applies to elementary and secondary schooling, not specialized legal education

Target Learners¶

• Elementary and secondary school students

Target Learning Objectives¶

• Understanding how legal and political systems function
• Knowledge of how law affects citizens and how citizens can affect it

Claims¶

Related Theories¶

Examples¶

• Place LRE in the curriculum through special events, separate units or courses, or infusion
• Five characteristics of effective law-related education programs

Key Sources¶

• Pereira, Carolyn. (1988). Law-Related Education in Elementary and Secondary Schools. ERIC Digest. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED296948