Educational Outreach

The Federal Courts' Educational Outreach Program

Mission and Focus

The Office of Public Affairs at the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts has developed a multifaceted, long-term national outreach effort to heighten public understanding of the federal courts. In coordination with courts across the country, the Administrative Office uses in-house television productions, Internet, media relations, internal and external publications, and educational programs at courthouses to support local federal judges and court staff in their efforts to reach leaders in academic, civic, journalistic, and other communities.

The foundation of this strategy is the forging of partnerships between the federal Judiciary and educators in communities across the nation to increase understanding of the federal courts as the cornerstone of our constitutional system. Judges are available to work with educators to move students through four stages of court literacy:

• Knowledge: Educational programming at federal courthouses can create a sense of pride, participation, and ownership in the courts based on solid information provided by judges and court staff about the role, structure, and function of the courts.
• Understanding: Outreach activities present the human face of the Judiciary and deepen citizens' understanding of their courts as an avenue for resolving conflict.
• Investment: All citizens have a stake in a well-run judicial system because the federal courts are the guardians of individual liberties.
• Involvement: Citizens think critically about the law and about courts, they obey court orders, and they get involved in maintaining a high-functioning justice system.