Judges in the Classroom

General Information

What Is Law Related Education (LRE)?

According to the Law-Related Education Act of 1978...the term law-related education means education to equip non-lawyers with knowledge and skills pertaining to the law, the legal process, and the legal system. Law-Related Education helps students develop the knowledge, skills, understanding, and attitudes necessary to function effectively in a pluralistic, democratic society based on the rule of law.

• LRE is about real issues as they affect real people.

• LRE teaches students to reason through hard questions and to grapple with realistic problems.

• LRE is active. It teaches because it involves the participants.

• LRE uses case studies, role plays, mock trials, and other active instruction techniques.

• LRE is a proven way to improve younger people’s self-image, attitudes, and their knowledge about law and government.

• LRE can make a difference.

What Is JITC?

• Judges from Washington State Courts teach law related education (LRE) to grades K-12.

• The program is not an isolated visit. It is a part of the teacher’s overall curriculum.

• Judges are given lesson plans for the instruction.

• Over 30 lessons were developed by the Institute for Citizen’s Education in the Law.

• Each lesson gives the judge explicit instructions along with accompanying handouts for students. Select lessons feature short videos to spark interest.

• The judges lead group discussions and encourage student participation.

What Do Students Gain From LRE?

• LRE builds student's conceptual and practical understanding of the law and legal process.

• LRE provides:
  • An increased understanding of the role of the justice system in our society.
  • A foundation for improving civic skills.
  • An ability to work within the legal system to settle grievances.
  • An understanding of the basis for rules.

Roles People Play

• OAC will coordinate between judges and teachers.

• OAC will provide lesson plans and other materials.

• The OAC LRE coordinator will pair judges and teachers.

• The OAC will also assist in scheduling visits to courts (still in planning state) and any other tasks necessary for participation in the program.

Pairing Judges/Teachers

• Teachers interested in the program may contact OAC, by phone or mail (see below), or by using the Request a Judge form.

• The teacher is sent an information sheet along with a list of available judicial lessons (now available on the Internet at http://www.courts.wa.gov/education/).

• The teacher selects lessons applicable for his/her classroom. A list of the lessons along with the completed information sheet is returned to OAC.

• OAC then contacts a judge and pairs him/her with that teacher.

For more information about Judges in the Classroom

Please contact:

Administrative Office of the Courts
1206 Quince Street SE
PO Box 41170
Olympia, WA 98504-1170

(360) 753-3365