Educational Outreach Program on Law

Introduction:

The University of North Carolina School of Law and the University Center for International Studies seek startup funds of $15000 for an educational project which aims to provide workshops and educational opportunities to NC school teachers and 6-12 grade students resulting in a better understanding of issues and processes dealing with the following main categories:

"Legal obligations of adolescents and adults for illegal acts and offenses in and out of the NC K-12 schools"

"Legal responsibilities of NC teachers and Administrators as relates to students and parents"

"Human Rights in the United States and International Settings"

"Race, Ethnicity, Justice, and American Identity"

The proposed pilot program will focus initially on the Triangle Area of North Carolina consisting of the cities of Durham, Raleigh and Chapel Hill in the 1999-2000 academic year cycle. Upon review and further institutional support, the program may be expanded to other metropolitan and rural areas of NC. The program will utilize UNC Law School expertise, independent consultants, other available resources and the World Wide Web (WWW) in providing workshops and presentations while building a web based information area which will aid teachers and students nationally. Special attention will be paid to teachers who request materials and activities for their students who are at low academic and literacy levels and at risk of dropping out of school.

In accomplishing set goals, the UNC collaborative partners will work and strategize with the Chapel Hill/Carrboro, Durham and Wake counties Superintendents Offices, the State Board of Education and 6-12 grade teachers and the NC legal community.

Narrative:

In the wake of the Columbine tragedy, our NC schools have experienced a tremendous rise in bomb threats, violent messages and copy cat behavior that is disruptive to normal course of education and fellow students. In order to support teachers and administrators in helping students understand their legal obligations and broader aspects of Human Rights and legal environment, an outreach/public service program that addresses relevant issues in a direct and easily understandable way is necessary.

Many of our 6-12 grade students have a very limited understanding of the American legal environment and its complexities and even less of an understanding of international crisis where basic human rights are trampled and rule of international law and civilized norms of behavior is disregarded.