Colorado

Title 22. Education
Compensatory Education
Article 25. Colorado Comprehensive Health Education Act
C.R.S. 22-25-104.5 (2004) – Law-related education program - creation

(1) (a) There is hereby created, within the Colorado department of education prevention initiatives unit, the Colorado law-related education program for the purpose of promoting behavior which will reduce the incidence of gang or other antisocial behavior and substance abuse by students in the public schools through education.

(b) Under the program, each school district in the state is strongly encouraged to implement a law-related education program pursuant to the requirements of this article, which program shall specifically address the development of resistance to antisocial gang behavior and substance abuse without compromising academics.

(2) (a) A law-related education program implemented by a school district may be designed to promote responsible citizenship and reduce antisocial behavior without compromising academics. Specific grade levels should be determined by school districts based on local curricular frameworks and review of what is known about existing and promising programs. All topics addressed in such law-related education program shall be taught in a manner which is appropriate for the ages of the students to be instructed.

(b) The topics for instruction in a law-related education program implemented by a school district shall include instruction on the United States constitution and the declaration of independence and may include, but need not be limited to, the following:

(I) The rights and responsibilities of citizenship;

(II) The foundations and principles of American constitutional democracy;

(III) The role of law in American society;

(IV) The organization and purpose of legal and political systems;

(V) The disposition to abide by law;

(VI) The opportunities for responsible participation;

(VII) The alternative dispute resolution approach including mediation and conflict resolution.

[This statute was located on July 6, 2005 and may have been modified or amended since that date.]