Education Advocacy Clinic

Introduction

The Education Advocacy Clinic represents public school students in education cases. Students who are interested in the Education Advocacy Clinic may apply to the 5-credit, semester-long clinic or may apply to the 14-credit Pro Bono Scholars Program-Education Advocacy Clinic.

Course Description

Fieldwork

Clinic students work on education cases with a focus on special education cases. In these cases, law students work closely with families from low-income backgrounds to help their public school students get supports and services to address their educational and behavioral needs. Students will participate in various stages of the representation process including intake, investigation, settlement negotiations, advocacy at school-based meetings, and possible participation in mediation or hearings. Clinic students will also work on education policy initiatives focused on the needs of students most at risk of academic failure.

Seminar

The seminar focuses on New York City’s education system, including the laws and procedures governing special education and school discipline. The seminar also addresses the cases students are handling; trial skills; issues relating to race, class, and disability in education; and efforts to create systemic change for public school students.

Pro Bono Scholars Program Education Advocacy Clinic

The Pro Bono Scholars Program is open to 3Ls who will complete all other coursework required for graduation prior to the Spring semester, be in good academic standing, and be in compliance with law school, New York State and ABA requirements for graduation. Prior to applying, students should review the Overall Caps and Non-Classroom Credit Caps in the JD Program Requirements.

For more information about the Pro Bono Scholars Program, please review the Pro Bono Scholars Program Externship description.

* 8 students is the combined maximum for the Education Advocacy Clinic and the Education Advocacy Clinic - Pro Bono Scholars Program.

** 5 credits include 3 clinical credits and 2 academic seminar credits.

*** 14 credits include 11 clinical credits and 3 academic seminar credits. Students may not take more than one of the 14-credit, semester-long clinics Education Sector Policy and Consulting Clinic (LW.12446 / LW.12447) and the Pro Bono Scholars Program Clinic-Education Advocacy (LW.12518 / LW.12401).