They’re Street Law—a nonprofit organization that creates classroom and community programs that teach people about law, democracy, and human rights worldwide. Street Law program participants benefit from “real-life” lessons and insights, which they can use to effect positive change for the rest of their lives. Their accessible, engaging, and interactive programs empower students and communities to become active, legally-savvy contributors to society.
Street Law’s impact has been profound, but their beginnings were modest. Street Law began in 1972, when a small group of Georgetown University Law Center students developed an experimental curriculum to teach District of Columbia high school students about law and the legal system. Because of its practical nature, the course was called “Street Law.”
Over time, the Street Law curriculum evolved from a binder of loose-leaf lesson plans to a range of programs and publications designed to enhance the teaching of practical law, crime prevention, conflict resolution, youth advocacy, and the fundamental principles of democracy. They’ve also expanded their reach internationally, bringing their expertise in program and curriculum development to democratizing nations around the world. Today, their myriad programs serve thousands of people every year, worldwide.
Street Law develops classroom and grassroots programs that educate students and communities about law, democracy, and human rights. Some of their initiatives bring us directly into classrooms and neighborhoods. However, the majority of their efforts, including their popular professional development programs, are focused on training others—individuals and organizations—to become effective Street Law educators. Their approach is practical, relevant, and experiential, blending legal content with innovative hands-on teaching strategies that actively engage students and program participants in the learning process.
When it comes to developing legal curricula, Street Law is a leader. Their groundbreaking textbook, Street Law: A Course in Practical Law, now in its ninth edition, is used in classrooms across the U.S. They’ve authored hundreds of lessons on law, democracy, human rights, public policy, crime prevention, conflict resolution, and youth advocacy.
By helping to improve the teaching of law and understanding of relevant legal principles, Street Law empowers youth and adults to use their knowledge to solve problems and better their communities, and motivates them to become active participants in society.
