NCJ Number
16594
Date Published
1974
Length
76 pages
Annotation
ASSESSMENT OF AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PROGRAM INTENDED TO AFFECT THE COURSE OF CHILDREN'S DEVELOPING ORIENTATION TO LAW, TO PROVIDE LEGAL EDUCATION, AND TO POSITIVELY AFFECT BEHAVIOR BY DEVELOPING FAVORABLE ATTITUDES TOWARDS LAW.
Abstract
THE PROGRAM WAS GENERALLY ALLOCATED TEN TO FIFTEEN HOURS OF CLASS TIME AND INCLUDED SIX TWENTY-MINUTE FILMS, ASSIGNMENTS IN A SHORT WORKBOOK, A PANEL DISCUSSION AND PERHAPS A TOUR OF POLICE OR COURT FACILITIES. A SURVEY INSTRUMENT WAS ADMINISTERED TO 315 FIFTH GRADE STUDENTS IN FOUR SCHOOLS BOTH BEFORE AND AFTER THEIR PARTICIPATION IN THE CHILDREN AND THE LAW PROGRAM. TOPICS TESTED WERE COMPREHENSION AND LEARNING, THE THEORY OF LAW, ATTITUDES AND BELIEFS, AND LONG-TERM EFFECTS ON KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES, AND BEHAVIOR. IN GENERAL, IT WAS FOUND THAT LITTLE CHANGE OCCURRED IN ATTITUDES AND COMPREHENSION AS A RESULT OF THE PROGRAM. THE SURVEY INSTRUMENT ADMINISTERED TO STUDENTS AND THE TEACHER QUESTIONNAIRE ARE APPENDED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED) RAMSEY COUNTY