In this unit, students examine how the legal system actually works. Using the issue of school safety and the Gun-Free Schools Act of 1994 (GFSA) as a focus, students consider how and why laws are created and enforced, and the complex ways in which the different legal sectors (branches and levels of government) interact to maintain the rule of law. Students examine the different approaches that law enforcement professionals use to promote school safety, and consider both the intended and unintended consequences of a law. Students also explore how youth and adults advocate for a more effective and just legal system. In this unit, students conduct research, work in teams to gather and share information, and write to inform and educate the public about school safety and the law.
Unit Project
Unit Length: 23 50-minute sessions