Summer Learning in Action

Summer may bring a break from the school-year routine, but civic learning certainly did not stop.

Across the country, Street Law worked with educators and the legal community to strengthen civic and law-related education throughout the summer. Through teacher professional development and direct student programming, Street Law helped participants build the knowledge, skills, and confidence they need to engage thoughtfully with the law, government, and civic life.

Here is a look at some of Street Law’s summer work.

California: Building Classrooms for Civil Dialogue

In California, Street Law concluded a series of workshops focused on strategies for discussing contested issues in the classroom by preparing teacher-leaders to train fellow educators. By building local capacity, Street Law is helping more teachers facilitate respectful, student-centered discussions that enable students to think critically, engage with diverse perspectives, and discuss challenging issues with confidence.

Learn more about this work: “Study Launched to Evaluate the Efficacy of ‘Talking About Local Current and Contested Issues in Schools.’”

New Hampshire: Strengthening Supreme Court Education

In partnership with the New Hampshire Bar Association, Street Law led a two-day Supreme Court workshop that connected teachers with attorney partners from the New Hampshire Bar and provided hands-on professional development to support their teaching in the year ahead. This opportunity focused on helping educators make the Supreme Court and constitutional law more relevant, engaging, and accessible for their students.

Learn more about partnering with Street Law to provide customized teacher professional development in your school, district, or state.

Washington, D.C.: More Than 30 Years of Bringing the Supreme Court to Life

Street Law’s longest-running teacher professional development program returned this summer in partnership with the Supreme Court Historical Society. For more than 30 years, this workshop has helped social studies teachers bring the Supreme Court and the Constitution to life for their students. This summer’s participants explored recent Supreme Court cases and innovative instructional strategies that will help thousands of students deepen their understanding of constitutional principles and the role of the judiciary in American democracy.

Learn more about this program: “30 Years of the Supreme Court Summer Institute: Empowering Teachers to Build a Stronger Future.”

New York, NY, and Dallas, TX: Inspiring Future Legal Leaders

Street Law’s Summer Bridge Program welcomed rising ninth graders at the Charter High School for Law and Social Justice in New York and Judge Barefoot Sanders Law Magnet in Dallas for an engaging introduction to law and legal careers. The Dallas program, offered in partnership with Avanci, marked the expansion of Summer Bridge to a second city. Through mock trials, discussions of real-world issues, and mentorship from law students and legal professionals, students strengthened their critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills while beginning to envision futures in law and public service.

As part of Street Law’s Legal Career Pathway Program portfolio, Summer Bridge is expanding access to early legal career exploration for students across the country. With programs now held in both New York and Dallas, Street Law is building on this model to bring meaningful early exposure to law and legal careers to even more students nationwide.

Whether equipping teachers with new strategies and resources or inspiring students to explore law and civic life, each of these programs reflects Street Law’s commitment to preparing the next generation to participate fully in democratic life.

As a new school year gets underway across the country, the impact of this summer’s work will continue in classrooms and communities.