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Know the Law!

A Good Idea

Description

KNOW THE LAW! is an afterschool program at the Huntington Theatre Company (the Huntington) that is conducted in collaboration with Youth and Police in Partnership. KNOW THE LAW! uses theatrical performance to develop academic and interpersonal skills while increasing awareness of Massachusetts law in underserved communities as a means of reducing youth crime and violence.

Goal / Mission

The primary goals of KNOW THE LAW! include: to improve young people's awareness of legal issues, including both their rights and responsibilities; to help them make positive decisions and resist negative peer pressure; to teach participants to use their bodies, voices, and imagination as actors; to help participants learn basic theatre vocabulary and stage directions; to improve participants' self-confidence, promote high self-esteem, and develop good work habits; and to encourage participants to look at themselves as positive role models for their peers, developing both leadership and collaboration skills.

Results / Accomplishments

The participants complete evaluation forms, often revealing how their view of the KNOW THE LAW! program and of themselves has changed over the course of one year. Many cite their improved self-confidence and strengthened ability to perform in front of an audience. In addition to reflection sheets and participant testimonials, YPP regularly evaluates participants, revealing improved attendance at school as well as improved academic performance.

About this Promising Practice

Organization(s)
The Huntington Theatre Company
Primary Contact
Donna Glick
Huntington Theatre Company and Youth & Police in Partnership
264 Huntington Avenue
Boston, MA 02115
(617) 273-1548
dglick@huntingtontheatre.bu.edu
http://www.huntingtontheatre.org/
Topics
Community / Crime & Crime Prevention
Community / Social Environment
Organization(s)
The Huntington Theatre Company
Source
Promising Practices in Afterschool
Date of implementation
1997
Geographic Type
Urban
Location
Boston, MA
For more details
http://www.huntingtontheatre.org/education/know-th...
Target Audience
Teens

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Related Content for: Know the Law!

A Good Idea meets the following HCI criteria:

  1. The program description includes: the sponsoring organization, program goals, program funding source, program implementation steps and outcomes.
  2. The program evaluation is limited to descriptive measure(s) of success/accomplishment (i.e., program participation rates, number of services/education sessions/radio messages provided). Note: oftentimes, the program has been newly implemented and a program evaluation has not yet been conducted. Programs that have not yet been evaluated, but which show promise in improving health or quality of life, are classified as Good Ideas until an evaluation is conducted.
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