Education Law Practicum

Catalog description

Law 166-001 (Seminar): This online seminar addresses substantive education law issues and skill development tailored to the practice of education law. Topics to be explored may include systemic reform litigation in education law, special education litigation, school discipline reform, the role of implicit bias in school decision-making, litigation related to trauma-informed practices, bullying litigation, and receiving feedback. This seminar may optionally be paired with a field placement in the area of education law. Placement options include local organizations, school districts, law firms and government agencies. Students must separately register for the field placement component for 1-3 credits (Law 166-002). No permission is required for the seminar portion of this class. Students may enroll in this seminar without registering for the field placement component. Students registering for the field placement component (166-002) must enroll in the seminar component (166-001). This course satisfies the Skills and the Bias, Cross-Cultural Competency and Racism (BCCR) requirements. Law 166-002 (Field Placement): This section is the field work component of the Education Law Practicum. Students have the option to work in one of a variety of local placements where they will work under the supervision of practicing attorneys. Students may choose to provide either: (1) direct representation and legal assistance to children and families in need of special education services; or (2) representation of school districts in education law matters. Students may also work on educational policy matters. Placement options include local organizations, school districts, law firms and government agencies. Students may also participate in Loyola¿s Educational Advocacy Project as an alternative to an external field placement. For part-time students interested in placements outside of the Chicagoland area, additional placements can be identified and approved on a case-by-case basis. Students may register for 1 to 3 credits, depending on their level of time commitment to the field work and agreement of the placement supervisor. Because you will need to identify and obtain a field placement, permission of the instructor is required. If you are interested in participating in the Education Law Practicum, please complete this form: https://luclawschool.formstack.com/forms/application_for_the_education_law_practicum&r=&t=0&bc= . You will need to separately apply for a field placement, which you may do in advance of applying for the Practicum or after applying for the Practicum and receiving additional information on placement options. This course counts as an Experiential Learning (Live Client Experience) and a Skills Course. Law 166-003 (SUFEO): This section of the Education Law Practicum is restricted to students working on education law cases through Stand Up for Each Other Chicago (SUFEO). The course seminar will provide skills-building tailored to direct representation of students and families on school discipline, bullying, special education cases, and other education law matters. Students will be provided with guidance and supervision regarding practical and ethical issues related to representing children and families in these cases. Students will also work on aspects of the SUFEO project, including client intake, case advocacy, legal drafting, outreach to local organizations, know-your-rights trainings, training and mentoring to law student volunteers working on the project, and policy and systemic advocacy to address the barriers experienced by SUFEO¿s clients. (Ross/Moran) Stand Up for Each Other (SUFEO) Board Members will automatically be granted permission to enroll in this class. Other students who would like to seek academic credit for their participation in SUFEO's educational advocacy work should complete this form: https://luclawschool.formstack.com/forms/application_for_the_education_law_practicum&r=&t=0&bc