Philosophy And Goals

Susan M. Dorsey High School's Law and Public Service Magnet School is:

a two and four year college preparatory program
a means for young men and women to explore career options in the field of law and a structured opportunity for students to provide services and skills to the local community

The twenty-first century requires our young people to process vast amounts of information and then make competent academic, personal and career decisions. The teachers and staff in the Dorsey Law and Public Service Magnet are committed to providing students with the necessary skills and personal attention through inspired teaching and mentoring assistance. Our teachers and staff understand the experiences and abilities Dorsey students already possess. Our program will open their minds to a wider world of educational and career opportunities. Judges and lawyers are frequently scheduled to speak in our classrooms. The issues they draw our students into can range from criminal law, entertainment law, immigration law and labor and civil rights cases to criminal scene investigation, use of DNA sampling and "white collar" crimes. Our goal is to develop productive members of society who understand the law, value education and prac tice community service.A list of both public and private volunteer and community service sites are provided where our students can demonstrate a sense of caring, as well as, the determination to effect change. We encourage a sense of confidence and family in the support of our students "to be all the best that they can be" in an often changing and demanding society.

Academic Support And Opportunities

The Law and Public Service Magnet is a 9-12th grade program designed specifically to strengthen the confidence level, college preparatory skills and positive attitude necessary for the successful movement into the world of work, college and effective citizenship. Regardless of their ultimate career choice, students will profit from having a greater understanding of the law and the political process. Students learn effective questioning techniques in applying what they have learned to set short and long-term academic goals while effecting change in other aspects of their lives and community.

Through field trips, guest speakers, courtroom experiences and internships, students are exposed to a wide range of available legal and public service job opportunities. Students will visit courts, law offices and next year the Mock Trial program will involve students. Magnet classes are smaller and our teachers work together to ensure students' productivity and to offer the personal support necessary for academic achievement. Students will regularly participate as jurors, bailiff and court clerks.

THEMES OF LAW, CITIZENSHIP AND LEADERSHIP - are worked into Magnet Enghsh, Social Studies, and specific Science courses. Students will be able to take legal studies/cases and relate them to current events and combine them with law concepts, job readiness and college preparatory skills.
HANDS-ON LESSON-PLANNING and TEACHING methods - actively involve students in the learning process and ensure that students under stand the importance of what they are learning.
WRITTEN and VERBAL COMMUNICATION skill development - are emphasized in every Magnet class.Objectives include increasing students' effectiveness in expressing ideas accurately and creatively.Students are encouraged to speak to an issue,as well as,take a side of an argument, then support it.
TECHNOLOGY - plays an important role in each classroom and in the Courtroom Law Library. Students have access to internet connected computers in classrooms and in the Law Library. We plan to have various state and federal law books available on CD in the Courtroom Law Library.
"RAISING THE BAR" VARSITY ACADEMIC JACKET PROGRAM - serves to motivate and recognize our young scholars at each grade level with certificates,medals and ultimately a uniquely designed varsity style jacket at the beginning of their senior year.80% of our students are accepted into four year colleges or universities.

Graduation Requirements

To graduate from high school students must complete the L.A.U.S.D. minimum graduation requirements. Completion of the University of California (UC) A-G requirements with a competitive grade point average is required to apply to California's prestige UC campuses. Completion of the UC requirements increases the likelihood that students will be accepted to most four-year universities including California State Universities. As a result, the Law and Public Service and Police Academy Magnets encourage students to meet higher standards than those set by the school district. As a magnet school, it is also our intent to provide students with thematic instruction in law, and a sense of civic responsibility. In order to accomplish this, the following are required for students to complete their study within the magnet:

The completion of three semesters of magnet electives
PER YEAR: Specific hours of community service with a specific number of hours in Teen Court serving as jury member, bailiff, court clerk or translator (see separate bulletin)
It is highly recommended that students take the PSAT, PACT in 9th, 10th, and 11th grades. l1th and 12th graders will take SAT I, SAT II or the ACT

Magnet Elective Courses
Course Title	Grade Level	Content Area
Introduction to Law	9, 10, 11, 12	Social Science
Youth and Justice or Shakespeare and Law	10, 11, 12	Social Science English
Forensics and Criminology	11, 12	Science
Constitutional Law/Business Law Entertainment Law	11, 12	Social Studies

Proposed Student Four Year Plan, 9th-12th Grade
9th Grade	10th Grade
Introduction to Law/Life Skills, 21st Century Integrated Science or (Biology) English 9 or Honors Physical Education Algebra or Geometry Foreign Language (1st year elective)	World History or Honors Biology or Chemistry English 10 or Honors Physical Education Geometry or Algebra 2 Foreign Language (1st; 2nd year)
11th Grade	12th Grade
U.S. History & Famous Trials Chemistry or Forensics American Literature/Cont. Comp. Law Elective Algebra 2; Trigonometry Foreign Language (2nd; 3rd year)	U.S. Government & Economics; Constitutional Law Advanced Science Advanced Composition/Comparative Literature Advanced Math Law Elective Foreign Language