Classroom Law Project

Mission

Classroom Law Project equips and empowers students with the knowledge, essential skills, and motivation to become active participants in their communities and our democracy. 

Bottom Line for Portland

Oregon’s youth needs to know how our government works, how to speak with respect for opposing points of view, and how to advocate with conviction and clear thinking. With so many challenges facing our schools and our communities today, the need for this work is more critical than ever. We engage students through the Mock Trial competition; the We the People Constitution team programs, which have them respond to questions in simulated hearings; Community Action Programs, which have them select a community problem to address with the help of stakeholders and community leaders; Courthouse Tours; and curriculum that actively engage students and teachers in the democratic process. Learning their rights and responsibilities prepares the next generation to lead and participate in informed, active ways. In the 2021-22 school year, we engaged with nearly 1,200 teachers and 120,000 students throughout Oregon.

Quote

CLP's resources, human and digital, have been an invaluable support for me and my students for nearly 20 years. My students emerge from their work feeling heard and empowered to make change in their community, and Classroom Law Project made that possible.

--Susan Kernutt, Ridgeview High School (Redmond)

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

A critical component of the strategic plan adopted by our Board this year is expanding the reach and impact of our programs to ALL students, regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, background, economic status, or any other status. To this end, we have adapted our curriculum and programs to include online components to eliminate the barriers imposed by requiring in-person participation. We have also launched a Board task force to work directly with organizations representing marginalized communities and learn what ways we can improve our programs and outreach to ensure that ALL students have access to our programs.