John J. Patrick to be Keynote Speaker at 28th Annual LYC Conference Oct. 27 to 29

For more information contact:


Monica Finch Media Assistant, Media Services Department (518) 487-5536 mfinch@nysba.org

October 07, 2004

ALBANY – The New York State Bar Association’s Law, Youth & Citizenship Program will sponsor its 28th annual Statewide Conference on Law-Related and Civic Education Oct. 27 to 29 at The Sagamore on Lake George.

Established in 1974, the LYC Program is a partnership of the NYSBA and the New York State Education Department that promotes citizenship and law-related education in schools throughout the state. LYC assists educators in creating opportunities for students to become effective citizens able to participate fully in our democratic society.

The conference is open to administrators, attorneys, law enforcement professionals and educators (grades K to 12). Those attending are offered effective law-related teaching methods and content across the curriculum that will engage students and promote their civic participation. A variety of workshops, strategies and resources that support state Social Studies Standards are scheduled.

This year’s theme is, “Teaching About Heroism on the Road to Brown.” Session topics include: law-related/civic education for elementary school pupils; using We the People: Project Citizen; mock trials as teaching strategies; updates on Supreme Court cases and state education; character education; the rule of law; bullying prevention; and civil rights in the 21st century.

The keynote speaker will be Dr. John J. Patrick, professor of education in the School of Education at Indiana University. He is also director of IU’s Social Studies Development Center and the ERIC Clearinghouse for Social Studies/Social Science Education. Dr. Patrick is the author or co-author of numerous publications on civic education, history education, and political ideas.

Since 1991, Dr. Patrick has traveled to several post-Communist countries of Central and Eastern Europe where he served as a consultant, lecturer, and seminar leader on topics pertaining to civic education for democracy.

He has also served in similar capacities for many projects throughout the U.S. in collaboration with local school districts, state departments of education, and university centers and faculty.

For details, including registration fees, visit http://www.lycny.org; or email dtaylor@nysba.org; or call 518/473-4235. A limited number of $500 scholarships are available for new teachers and first-time attendees. Registration deadline is Oct. 18, 2004.