Equal Justice Under Law
A constitutional issue and public policy program for Illinois High School Students
Equal Justice Under Law is designed to enhance students' understanding of a recently decided U.S. Supreme Court case and related public policy questions. In their classes, students examine case facts, review the constitutional issue, consider the arguments they find persuasive, and analyze a related law or public policy using Constitutional Democracy Project developed curriculum materials. Constitutional Democracy Project conducts a conference in Chicago where students come together to deliberate the constitutional issue and discuss policy applications with peers from a variety of school settings. Topics have included school drug testing, the juvenile death penalty, and physician-assisted suicide. The program occurs in the fall semester.
Equal Justice Under Law Student Conference
Students attend the Equal Justice Under Law Student Conference in Chicago. At the student-led conference, they deliberate the constitutional issue and discuss the related policy questions with peers, legal experts, and policymakers. Following the conference, students offer their perspectives in op-ed pieces, letters to legislators, and/or position papers.
Contact
If your school is interested in participating in Equal Justice Under Law contact Dee Runaas.
Program Highlights
Student Preparation and Conference Experience
In advance of the conference, students receive case background and guiding materials, developed by the Constitutional Democracy Project, from their teachers, who help them build a strong foundation in the facts and constitutional issues. This preparation ensures that when students arrive in Chicago, they are ready to engage deeply with the case.
At the conference, students take center stage. They collaborate in small groups with peers from other schools, guided by law students and legal experts who are already familiar with the case. This structure allows students to test their understanding, ask probing questions, and experience what it’s like to deliberate as informed participants in a constitutional dialogue. Teachers, in turn, observe their students’ growth and gain new ideas for strengthening classroom discussion and critical analysis.
Class Preparation at Participating Schools
In the weeks leading up to the culminating conference, students work with curriculum materials developed by the Constitutional Democracy Project to explore the constitutional issue at hand. They study the facts, evaluate persuasive arguments, and analyze the related law or policy question. This preparation equips students with the background knowledge and critical thinking skills they need to fully engage in the one-day culminating conference.
