Equal Justice Under Law
A constitutional issues and public policy program
for Illinois High School Students.

Program Overview
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 CRFC developed curriculum materials. CRFC also conducts parallel conferences in Chicago and Springfield 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.

Program Highlights
Equal Justice Under Law Teacher Institutes (August/September)
Participating teachers examine the featured U.S. Supreme Court case with legal experts, discuss related public policy issues with policymakers, and receive information and teaching materials for classroom use and student conference participation.

Student Discussion Training and Teacher Workshop (October/November)
Selected students from participating teachers' classes receive training for their role as discussion facilitator and coordinator in preparation for the parallel student-led conferences in Springfield and Chicago. A legal resource person shares additional insights on the law, case, and/or policy with both students and their teachers. Teachers receive additional classroom ready materials developed by the Constitutional Rights Foundation Chicago.

Class Preparation at Participating Schools (November/December)
Students examine the constitutional issue, review those arguments they find persuasive, and analyze the related law or public policy question using CRFC developed curriculum materials. Students conduct a Public Policy Poll at the school. Results are posted on the CRFC website.

Equal Justice Under Law Student Conference (November/December)
Students attend parallel Equal Justice Under Law Student Conferences in Springfield and 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.

Teacher Debrief Meetings (December/January)
Participating teachers in the Chicago area, central/downstate meet in a separate meeting to debrief the program.