News Archive
IU McKinney Law and IPS Partner in Unique Program
08/29/2012
A program formalized August 29, 2012, between Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law and Indianapolis Public Schools will introduce 200 students in Grades 6-12 to the study of law and available career options in legal fields.
The partnership is between Shortridge Magnet High School for Law and Policy and IU McKinney School of Law.
“This collaboration between IPS and IU is an excellent example of the synergy an urban campus offers, resulting in enormous opportunities for university students and the community,” said IU McKinney School of Law Dean Gary R. Roberts. “We know the time and effort our students and faculty are investing in a new generation of homegrown legal professionals will have a positive effect on Indiana and the legal profession for years to come.”
The students’ law-themed curriculum is taught in part by IU McKinney Law faculty and students, who also, along with law school alumni, tutor and mentor students from the program. Juniors and seniors from the high school also will be selected to “shadow” law students working in the live client clinics, where they will experience practical aspects of the law and legal representation.
The goal of the Shortridge program is to prepare students for their roles as citizens while exploring legal and social justice careers. Law student Teaching Assistants (TA’s) will build relationships they hope will positively impact the lives of Shortridge students. Law school faculty will volunteer their time to teach the high school students, and student TA’s will receive academic credit for their work.
“Even if law isn’t in some of our students’ future career paths, the exposure they will receive through this partnership is immeasurable,” said IPS Superintendent Dr. Eugene G. White. “They have the opportunity to learn from some esteemed law professors and lawyers-in-training who believe in the potential of our Shortridge scholars.”
The event also featured the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the two schools, as well as a reception and moot court held at the law school for the Shortridge students.
