CAN-LEARN Project
University of Tennessee College of Law CAN-LEARN Project
“Helping Attorneys in Tennessee to Provide Legal Representation to Children in Need of Education Advocacy”
In 2003, the University of Tennessee College of Law created the Children’s Advocacy Network (CAN) whose first project is the Lawyer’s Education Advocacy Resource Network (LEARN). LEARN was conceived in recognition of the yawning need for legal representation on behalf of school age children and youth. In today’s climate of disciplinary exclusion both regular and special education students—particularly low-income students, students of color, and rural students---suffer from lack of adequate representation. The sparse availability of legal representation for students is overwhelmed by the growing need for access to legal advocacy on behalf of this vulnerable population. CAN-LEARN has sought to address this imbalance.
In 2004, the University of Tennessee College of Law was admitted to membership in the Law School Consortium Project (LSCP). CAN-LEARN is the University of Tennessee College of Law’s project for the LSCP. The mission of the LSCP is to increase access to justice by supporting law schools to expand their educational and institutional mission beyond graduation , to include support and service to solo and small-firm practitioners who are committed to serving low and moderate-income individuals and communities. The LSCP is a nationwide network of now seventeen (17) law schools ( with the admission of Stanford Law School in May of 2005) dedicated to enhancing the ability of small firm and solo practitioners to meet the legal needs of under-served communities and indi viduals. CAN-LEARN, however, also includes legal services and other public interest Lawyers.
CAN-LEARN is not a source of direct representation nor is it a pro bono Project. Instead, the Project serves as a backup and support center for lawyers who engage in education representation. The Project forms supportive networks to bolster the ability of small firm and solo practitioners to meet the challenges of representation in a wide variety of education-related cases, including special education, suspension and expulsion, juvenile court, No Child Left Behind, foster children, migrant children, racial and ethnic discrimination, and others.
Initially, the CAN-LEARN Project concentrated its efforts in East Tennessee. The Project has now expanded the network of attorneys to include interested attorneys practicing within the entire state of Tennessee. Additionally, CAN-LEARN has established a referral system fielding calls from families needing legal assistance regarding education matters. The design is to ensure that children and youth who need representation receive high quality legal consultation. The project refers families either to attorneys in the network or to legal services programs whose priorities allow education representation. If it is determined that next steps regarding self-help are appropriate, the Project may provide resources and consultation to the family.
The CAN-LEARN Network of Attorneys meets at the College of Law monthly. Presentations are provided regarding relevant issues in education law. In addition, the attorneys may engage in seminars, workshops, and trainings, as well as strategize and discuss issues related to their ongoing cases. Also, some events are CLEs which are free or low cost to all members of the CAN-LEARN network. Web cast capabilities are available for those members who are unable to physically attend the meetings. The web-cam allows attorneys (via the internet) to view and participate in the CAN-LEARN meetings regardless of where they might be physically located.
To enhance network communication, the CAN-LEARN Project implemented the CAN-LEARN Listserv. The purpose of the CAN-LEARN listserv is to promote an exchange of information regarding education related cases among members and allies of the network. The LSCP administers the CAN-LEARN listserv though Lowbono.org.
CAN-LEARN is staffed part-time by Barbara H. Dyer, Staff Attorney and Professor Dean Hill Rivkin serves as the CAN-LEARN Project Director. Attorneys and advocates for students who want to participate in the CAN-LEARN network are welcome. Please contact the Project to join the Network or for assistance. For questions, contact:
University of Tennessee College of Law
The CAN-LEARN Project
Children's Advocacy Network
Lawyers Education Advocacy Resource Network
1505 W. Cumberland Avenue
Knoxville, TN 37996-1810
865-974-4141 office
865-974-6782 fax
423-283-0558 fax
Search the Tennessee Department of Education Special Education Final Orders