This activity or a similar activity should be planned at the beginning of the semester to achieve several secondary objectives. Students many times have difficulty seeing the relevance of laws at the congressional, state, or local level. Yet at the building level if the height of the water fountain is a problem for the handicapped or the armed officer is viewed as a problem, they need to learn how to impact decisions in a positive way. The goal is to develop an iquiry relationship that will encourage young people to continue their interest in assessing the legal issues involved in a school setting and decision making that meets the expectations of society. The cooperation of the administration, handbooks, etc. will ensure the success of the lesson but, more so, the course.
Students examine the school handbook for the duties of the officer.
In small groups, they determines what those duties are and after 5 - 10 minutes, the list from each group is shared making a single list by consensus. Students are selected by the class to make an appointment with the administration to share student concerns. These students will be selected because of certain communication skills they believe will net the desired result - an appointment with the class. Divide the students into small groups to prepare a draft of concerns and rationale to be presented tot he administration. The teacher and the administration's representative set the ground rules for the class discussion.