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 "We the People...The Citizen and the Constitution"
"We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution" is a national program directed by the Center for Civic Education and funded by the United States Department of Education by act of Congress. Based on curriculum designed to promote a deeper understanding of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, the goal is to promote civic competence and responsibility among elementary and secondary students. Each year high school students compete and demonstrate their mastery of the Constitution. The LCE hosts the Congressional District Competition. Winners of the Congressional District Competition go on to compete in the statewide competition. The state champions travel to Washington D.C. in the spring to represent their state in the We the People national finals.
State Wide Competition: February 2009
To learn more about this program, contact your We the People Congressional District Coordinator. A list of the 2008-09 Congressional District Coordinators will be posted shortly.
National Competition: TBA
 "Teen Crime And The Community/Community Works"
This program combines education and action to enlighten youth about their chances of victimization and what they can do about it. While one out of every two teens changes their behavior because of fear of crime in their communities, nine out of ten teens are willing to do something to stop crime.
This pool of untapped energy, talent, and enthusiasm is where TCC draws its power and action. TCC utilizes the strengths of young people by educating them and providing them with the opportunity to serve their communities. Program can be implemented into schools, after school programs, civic clubs, juvenile justice settings, and all agencies that work with youth. TCC is a joint program of the National Crime Prevention Council and Street Law, Inc, with substantial funding from OJJDP, OJP, USDOJ. In Louisiana, the LCE offers training opportunities for those interested in the program.
Open Doors to Federal Courts
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana (New Orleans, La.)
This program is offered in partnership with the Federal Court and is made available to high school seniors attending schools in the 13 parishes that comprise the Eastern District of Louisiana. These students are invited into the Court for a day long program conducted in conjunction with the Administrative Office of the Court's outreach effort.
The objective of the program is to aid in teaching about the role, structure and operations of the federal court in an interactive way, to put a human face on the justice system and to make students aware of the role of the court in balancing liberties and community safety. Local courthouses across the country open their doors in November each year.
"Order in the Court!!!"
Location: Louisiana Supreme Court
Have you ever wanted to visit a classroom but did not know what or who to call to arrange the visit? The LCE's "Order in the Court!!!" program is designed to help you in your efforts to enhance the publics awareness and understanding of the Louisiana judiciary and system through classroom and/or courtroom visits.
One of the components of the "Order in the Court!!!" program is the availability of a lesson plan that helps students understand the role of Louisiana Courts. Students will learn the function of the individual courts. They will also then be given scenarios that will result in the matter being taken to the court and the student will have to identify the correct court as the matter travels through the system.
If you would like to sign up to work with a school, or need help finding a classroom, contact LCE at peggy.cotogno@lsba.org.
Law Day Youth Summit
Day-long event provides students in grades 7-12 with a forum to develop a deeper understanding of our legal system and engage them in the learning process about the jury system, the United States Constitution, respecting law-enforcement and the difference between mediation and litigation.
Lawyers, judges and law enforcement officers through interactive law-related education activities will discuss actual legal cases that impact our children's daily lives.
Schools select a team of five students and one teacher leader to attend the youth summit.
Annual Summer Institute for Social Studies Educators
Held each year in July, the LCE conducts a week-long training for educators, juvenile justice practitioners, representatives of civic and community organizations who work with youth and who demonstrate a commitment to implement law and civic education programs in their respective organizations. Participants receive training in interactive communicative strategies that enhance their existing curriculum and programmatic activities. They also receive practical assistance, handouts, texts, lesson plans for classroom use that link the curriculum to real life situations and meet directly with legal professionals who serve as mentors and instructors.
This year's program will feature two day training of "Order in the Court!!!" to be held at the Louisiana Supreme Court in New Orleans, Louisiana. A distinguished faculty of Louisiana Federal and State Judges will present interactive lesson plans and practical information about the Louisiana court system and its process. This is an inaugural program for educators.
The LCE Summer Institute will also feature a two day training on We the People...The Citizen and the Constitution. Educators will also receive complimentary classroom sets of texts and material.
Teen Parents and the Law (TPAL)
TPAL is a comprehensive, interactive curriculum to help teen parents navigate the maze of legal issues related to parental rights and responsibilities. This program provides teen parents with access to legal resource people to reduce the risk associated with domestic violence.
The Program focuses upon the following topics:
Contact the LCE to schedule a presentation and learn more. (504) 619.0134 or peggy.cotogno@lsba.org
 Student Career Exploration Post The LCE is a Law Explorer Post for Southeast Louisiana providing youth a forum in which they meet with legal professionals, civic and community leaders to learn more about a particular law-related profession. They also participate in Law and Civic programs that have them examine through role play scenarios , case studies and field trips the inner workings of the law and the legal system and the role that they as young people play in a democratic society. Monthly meetings are held at the Louisiana Bar Center.
Y-Vote 
The LCE formed a partnership with the Louisiana Secretary of State and the Louisiana Department of Education to educate students as to the the History of the Right to Vote and its importance by providing lesson plans and making voting booths available for student government elections.
A second element of the program is in partnership with the Youth Leadership Initiative, wherein the LCE provides Louisiana students the ability to participate in upcoming Congressional elections via their favorite tool, the Internet. Your students can now participate and "vote" via an electronic mock election.
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