Law and Public Service

Dates

TEKS

Unit Goals

Approximate Assessment Window 

US Constitution

§130.332

Students will:

• Students will gain a foundational understanding of the U.S. Constitution.
• How do the branches of government function separately and together?
• What can you infer about the values of the Founders from the structure of the Constitution?
• What is the difference between enumerated, delegated, reserved, and concurrent powers?

assessment

Dates

TEKS

Unit Goals

Approximate Assessment Window 

Texas Youth Legislation YMCA

§130.332

Students will:

• prepare legislation (bills, or sometimes joint resolutions)
• present legislation
• debate, and action at Conferences.

assessment

Dates

TEKS

Unit Goals

Approximate Assessment Window 

Moot Court

§130.332

Students will:

• answer questions in a neutral, objective fashion within a Moot Court Argument

wWrite a short brief for the case

• argue their case in front of judges

assessment

Dates

TEKS

Unit Goals

Approximate Assessment Window 

Texas Citizen Bee

§130.332

Students will:

• answer comprehension question covering US era of history, people, documents, and key Supreme Court cases
• deepen their understanding oc civics

assessment

Dates

TEKS

Unit Goals

Approximate Assessment Window 

Mock Trial

§130.332

Students will:

• prepare a case for a Mock Trial competition
• lean their role within the case
• present their case in competition with other teams within a courtroom setting

assessment

Dates

TEKS

Unit Goals

Approximate Assessment Window 

1/4

127.773TEKS Alignment: §130.104(c)(2), (3), (5), (7); §130.115(c)(2)

Students are expected to:

• Conduct legal research using primary and secondary sources relevant to pretrial issues
• Analyze and draft pretrial documents, including pleadings, motions, and discovery requests
• Apply rules governing evidence, procedure, and jurisdiction to factual scenarios
• Evaluate motions practice, including motions to dismiss, suppress, and summary judgment
• Demonstrate ethical research practices and accurate citation of authority
• Organize legal writing clearly for judicial and opposing-counsel audiences

Students will:

• Conduct legal research using primary and secondary sources relevant to pretrial issues
• Analyze and draft pretrial documents, including pleadings, motions, and discovery requests
• Apply rules governing evidence, procedure, and jurisdiction to factual scenarios
• Evaluate motions practice, including motions to dismiss, suppress, and summary judgment
• Demonstrate ethical research practices and accurate citation of authority
• Organize legal writing clearly for judicial and opposing-counsel audiences

Assessment

Dates

TEKS

Unit Goals

Approximate Assessment Window 

1/4

TEKS Alignment: §130.104(c)(4), (6); §130.115(c)(4)

Students are expected to:

• Research facts, law, and evidentiary themes to frame a theory of the case
• Draft a clear and persuasive opening statement grounded in admissible evidence
• Distinguish between argument and permissible preview of evidence
• Apply principles of organization, clarity, and audience awareness

Revise writing to ensure professional tone and ethical compliance

Students will:

• Research facts, law, and evidentiary themes to frame a theory of the case
• Draft a clear and persuasive opening statement grounded in admissible evidence
• Distinguish between argument and permissible preview of evidence
• Apply principles of organization, clarity, and audience awareness
• Revise writing to ensure professional tone and ethical compliance
•  

Assessment

Dates

TEKS

Unit Goals

Approximate Assessment Window 

2/4

TEKS Alignment: §130.104(c)(2), (4), (6); §130.115(c)(5)

Students are expected to:

• Research witness testimony and exhibits to develop direct-examination outlines
• Draft open-ended, non-leading questions consistent with evidentiary rules
• Organize examinations to establish foundation, credibility, and narrative flow
• Integrate documentary and physical evidence through proper authentication
• Edit and refine written examinations for clarity and effectiveness

Students will:

• Research witness testimony and exhibits to develop direct-examination outlines
• Draft open-ended, non-leading questions consistent with evidentiary rules
• Organize examinations to establish foundation, credibility, and narrative flow
• Integrate documentary and physical evidence through proper authentication
• Edit and refine written examinations for clarity and effectiveness

Assessment

Dates

TEKS

Unit Goals

Approximate Assessment Window 

2/4

TEKS Alignment: §130.104(c)(3), (4), (6); §130.115(c)(5)

Students are expected to:

• Analyze prior statements, affidavits, and evidence to identify impeachment material
• Draft concise, leading cross-examination questions grounded in the record
• Apply legal standards governing scope, relevance, and impeachment
• Evaluate credibility and bias using fact-based questioning strategies
• Revise written examinations to ensure precision, control, and ethical advocacy

Students will:

• Analyze prior statements, affidavits, and evidence to identify impeachment material
• Draft concise, leading cross-examination questions grounded in the record
• Apply legal standards governing scope, relevance, and impeachment
• Evaluate credibility and bias using fact-based questioning strategies
• Revise written examinations to ensure precision, control, and ethical advocacy

Assessment

Dates

TEKS

Unit Goals

Approximate Assessment Window 

3/4

TEKS Alignment: §130.104(c)(4), (6), (8); §130.115(c)(6), (7)

Students are expected to:

• Synthesize trial evidence and legal authority into a coherent closing argument
• Draft persuasive legal writing that connects facts to elements and burdens of proof
• Address and rebut opposing arguments using the evidentiary record
• Apply proper jury-argument standards and ethical limitations
• Produce a polished written closing demonstrating logical reasoning and professional style

Students will:

• Synthesize trial evidence and legal authority into a coherent closing argument
• Draft persuasive legal writing that connects facts to elements and burdens of proof
• Address and rebut opposing arguments using the evidentiary record
• Apply proper jury-argument standards and ethical limitations
• Produce a polished written closing demonstrating logical reasoning and professional style
•  

Assessment

Dates

TEKS

Unit Goals

Approximate Assessment Window 

1/4

Aligned TEKS: §130.167(c)(1), (2), (7)

Students are expected to:

• Explain the scope and methods of psychology as a behavioral science
• Describe how psychological principles are applied to criminal investigations
• Distinguish between investigative psychology, forensic psychology, and criminal profiling
• Analyze the ethical and legal limits of psychological involvement in criminal cases
• Evaluate the role of psychologists in law enforcement, courts, and corrections

Students will:

• Explain the scope and methods of psychology as a behavioral science
• Describe how psychological principles are applied to criminal investigations
• Distinguish between investigative psychology, forensic psychology, and criminal profiling
• Analyze the ethical and legal limits of psychological involvement in criminal cases
• Evaluate the role of psychologists in law enforcement, courts, and corrections

Assessment

Dates

TEKS

Unit Goals

Approximate Assessment Window 

1/4

Aligned TEKS: §130.167(c)(3), (4), (8)

Students are expected to:

• Analyze biological, cognitive, social, and environmental influences on criminal behavior
• Compare nature vs. nurture explanations of crime
• Examine the role of family, peers, culture, and socioeconomic factors
• Evaluate major theories of criminal behavior, including learning and personality theories
• Apply psychological explanations to case studies of offenders

Students will:

• Analyze biological, cognitive, social, and environmental influences on criminal behavior
• Compare nature vs. nurture explanations of crime
• Examine the role of family, peers, culture, and socioeconomic factors
• Evaluate major theories of criminal behavior, including learning and personality theories
• Apply psychological explanations to case studies of offenders

Assessment

Dates

TEKS

Unit Goals

Approximate Assessment Window 

2/4

Aligned TEKS: §130.167(c)(4), (5), (9)

Students are expected to:

• Explain psychological theories of aggression and violence
• Analyze biological and neurological factors influencing aggressive behavior
• Examine the impact of media, environment, and situational stressors on aggression
• Distinguish between instrumental and reactive aggression

Evaluate strategies for violence prevention and intervention

Students will:

• Explain psychological theories of aggression and violence
• Analyze biological and neurological factors influencing aggressive behavior
• Examine the impact of media, environment, and situational stressors on aggression
• Distinguish between instrumental and reactive aggression
• Evaluate strategies for violence prevention and intervention

Assessment

Dates

TEKS

Unit Goals

Approximate Assessment Window 

2/4

Aligned TEKS: §130.167(c)(6), (7)

Students are expected to:

• Identify major psychological disorders associated with criminal behavior
• Distinguish between mental illness and criminal responsibility
• Explain legal standards such as competency to stand trial and insanity defenses
• Analyze how mental disorders affect culpability, sentencing, and treatment
• Evaluate ethical issues related to diagnosis and labeling

Students will:

• Identify major psychological disorders associated with criminal behavior
• Distinguish between mental illness and criminal responsibility
• Explain legal standards such as competency to stand trial and insanity defenses
• Analyze how mental disorders affect culpability, sentencing, and treatment
• Evaluate ethical issues related to diagnosis and labeling
•  

Assessment

Dates

TEKS

Unit Goals

Approximate Assessment Window 

3/4

Aligned TEKS: §130.167(c)(4), (6), (9)

Students are expected to:

• Analyze psychological factors associated with violent crimes, including homicide and assault
• Examine dynamics of domestic and family violence, including cycles of abuse
• Identify risk factors, warning signs, and victim–offender relationships
• Evaluate the psychological impact of violence on victims, witnesses, and communities
• Apply theory to real-world case analyses

Students will:

• Analyze psychological factors associated with violent crimes, including homicide and assault
• Examine dynamics of domestic and family violence, including cycles of abuse
• Identify risk factors, warning signs, and victim–offender relationships
• Evaluate the psychological impact of violence on victims, witnesses, and communities
• Apply theory to real-world case analyses

Assessment

Dates

TEKS

Unit Goals

Approximate Assessment Window 

3/4

Aligned TEKS: §130.167(c)(4), (8), (10)

Students are expected to:

• Analyze psychological motivations behind terrorism and extremist behavior
• Examine the role of group dynamics, ideology, and identity
• Distinguish between lone-actor and organized extremist psychology
• Evaluate the psychological effects of terrorism on societies and governments

Assess ethical and civil-liberty concerns in counterterrorism efforts

Students will:

• Analyze psychological motivations behind terrorism and extremist behavior
• Examine the role of group dynamics, ideology, and identity
• Distinguish between lone-actor and organized extremist psychology
• Evaluate the psychological effects of terrorism on societies and governments
• Assess ethical and civil-liberty concerns in counterterrorism efforts

Assessment

Dates

TEKS

Unit Goals

Approximate Assessment Window 

4/4

Aligned TEKS: §130.167(c)(3), (4), (8)

Students are expected to:

• Explain psychological theories related to property and economic crimes
• Compare street crime and white-collar crime motivations
• Analyze decision-making, rationalization, and moral disengagement
• Evaluate the role of opportunity, access, and social learning
• Apply behavioral theories to crime prevention strategies

Students will:

• Explain psychological theories related to property and economic crimes
• Compare street crime and white-collar crime motivations
• Analyze decision-making, rationalization, and moral disengagement
• Evaluate the role of opportunity, access, and social learning
• Apply behavioral theories to crime prevention strategies

Assessment

Dates

TEKS

Unit Goals

Approximate Assessment Window 

4/4

Aligned TEKS: §130.167(c)(5), (6), (9)

Students are expected to:

• Explain the psychological and biological effects of substance abuse
• Analyze the relationship between addiction and criminal behavior
• Distinguish between substance-induced crime and dependency-driven crime
• Evaluate treatment, rehabilitation, and diversion programs
• Assess societal and legal responses to drug-related offenses

Students will:

• Explain the psychological and biological effects of substance abuse
• Analyze the relationship between addiction and criminal behavior
• Distinguish between substance-induced crime and dependency-driven crime
• Evaluate treatment, rehabilitation, and diversion programs
• Assess societal and legal responses to drug-related offenses
•  

Assessment

Dates

TEKS

Unit Goals

Approximate Assessment Window 

Contracts

§130.340

Students will:

• Identify contractual elements
• Apply contractual elements to fact patterns
• Generate public policy arguments in support of a client’s position

assessment

Dates

TEKS

Unit Goals

Approximate Assessment Window 

Property

§130.340

Students will:

• Understand the philosophical and legal bases for property ownership
• Apply the rules of Finder’s Rights and Adverse Possession to fact patterns
• Apply Texas’ Rules of Intestate Succession to a variety of given scenarios

assessment

Dates

TEKS

Unit Goals

Approximate Assessment Window 

Torts

§130.340

Students will:

• Apply the prima facie elements of intentional torts and negligence to given fact patterns
• Determine cause-in-fact and proximate cause in novel situations

assessment

Dates

TEKS

Unit Goals

Approximate Assessment Window 

The Constitution

§130.340

Students will:

• Demonstrate an understanding of the Constitution and Amendments
• Demonstrate an understanding of the Supreme Court and its justices

assessment

Dates

TEKS

Unit Goals

Approximate Assessment Window 

Freedom of Expression

§130.340

Students will:

• Synthesize Supreme Court precedent on Freedom of Expression into practical rules that can be applied to novel situations
• Evaluate the applicability of prior precedent to both educational and non-educational settings

assessment

Dates

TEKS

Unit Goals

Approximate Assessment Window 

Modern Constitutional Issues

§130.340

Students will:

• Prepare and perform oral arguments in support of a particular client on a particular legal issue
• Select, explore, and present a constitutional issue in a currently pending U.S. Supreme Court case

project

Dates

TEKS

Unit Goals

Approximate Assessment Window 

1/4

TEKS §130.114(c)(1)–(3)
Students are expected to:

• Explain the role and impact of law on business operations
• Identify sources of law (constitutional, statutory, administrative, and case law)
• Distinguish between civil law and criminal law
• Explain the court system, including jurisdiction and venue
• Describe the trial and appellate process
• Analyze how laws affect business decision-making

Students will:

• Explain the role and impact of law on business operations
• Identify sources of law (constitutional, statutory, administrative, and case law)
• Distinguish between civil law and criminal law
• Explain the court system, including jurisdiction and venue
• Describe the trial and appellate process
• Analyze how laws affect business decision-making
•  

Research Project

Assessment

Dates

TEKS

Unit Goals

Approximate Assessment Window 

1/4

TEKS §130.114(c)(4)
Students are expected to:

• Compare and contrast sole proprietorships, partnerships, corporations, and limited liability companies (LLCs)
• Explain advantages and disadvantages of each form of business ownership
• Describe liability, taxation, and management structures of business entities

Analyze how business structure affects legal responsibility and risk

Students will:

• Compare and contrast sole proprietorships, partnerships, corporations, and limited liability companies (LLCs)
• Explain advantages and disadvantages of each form of business ownership
• Describe liability, taxation, and management structures of business entities
• Analyze how business structure affects legal responsibility and risk

Assessment

Case Brief

Dates

TEKS

Unit Goals

Approximate Assessment Window 

2/4

TEKS §130.114(c)(5)
Students are expected to:

• Explain the importance of ethical behavior in business
• Distinguish between legal compliance and ethical conduct
• Analyze ethical dilemmas using ethical decision-making models
• Evaluate the consequences of unethical business practices
• Explain the role of corporate social responsibility

Students will:

• Explain the importance of ethical behavior in business
• Distinguish between legal compliance and ethical conduct
• Analyze ethical dilemmas using ethical decision-making models
• Evaluate the consequences of unethical business practices
• Explain the role of corporate social responsibility

Assessment

Dates

TEKS

Unit Goals

Approximate Assessment Window 

2/4

TEKS §130.114(c)(6)
Students are expected to:

• Explain the nature and purpose of agency relationships
• Identify types of agents and principals
• Describe rights and duties of agents and principals
• Explain how agency relationships are created and terminated

Analyze liability issues arising from agency relationships

• Explain the nature and purpose of agency relationships
• Identify types of agents and principals
• Describe rights and duties of agents and principals
• Explain how agency relationships are created and terminated
• Analyze liability issues arising from agency relationships

Assessment

Dates

TEKS

Unit Goals

Approximate Assessment Window 

3/4

TEKS §130.114(c)(7)
Students are expected to:

• Identify the essential elements of a valid contract
• Distinguish between valid, void, voidable, and unenforceable contracts
• Explain contractual capacity and legality
• Analyze breach of contract and available remedies
• Explain the statute of frauds and written contract requirements

Students will:

• Identify the essential elements of a valid contract
• Distinguish between valid, void, voidable, and unenforceable contracts
• Explain contractual capacity and legality
• Analyze breach of contract and available remedies
• Explain the statute of frauds and written contract requirements

Assessment

Case Brief 

Dates

TEKS

Unit Goals

Approximate Assessment Window 

3/4

TEKS §130.114(c)(8)
Students are expected to:

• Explain the purpose and use of negotiable instruments
• Identify types of negotiable instruments, including checks, promissory notes, and drafts
• Explain endorsement, negotiation, and transfer of instruments
• Analyze rights and liabilities of parties to negotiable instruments
• Describe legal issues related to credit, lending, and banking transactions

Students will:

• Explain the purpose and use of negotiable instruments
• Identify types of negotiable instruments, including checks, promissory notes, and drafts
• Explain endorsement, negotiation, and transfer of instruments
• Analyze rights and liabilities of parties to negotiable instruments
• Describe legal issues related to credit, lending, and banking transactions

Assessment

Case Brief 

Dates

TEKS

Unit Goals

Approximate Assessment Window 

4/4ection

Environmental regulati

TEKS §130.114(c)(9)
Students are expected to:

• Explain the role of government in regulating business
• Identify major areas of regulation, including:
  • Employment and labor
  • Consumer protection
  • Environmental regulation
  • Antitrust and competition
• Analyze how regulations affect business practices and compliance obligations

Students will:

• Explain the role of government in regulating business
• Identify major areas of regulation, including:
  • Employment and labor
  • Consumer protection
  • Environmental regulation
  • Antitrust and competition
• Analyze how regulations affect business practices and compliance obligations
•  

Assessment

Dates

TEKS

Unit Goals

Approximate Assessment Window 

4/4ection

Envii

TEKS §130.114(c)(10)