As readers to this blog know from earlier posts, the Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar completed almost all of its work on comprehensive review at its meeting held on March 14-15, 2014. Importantly, the proposed changes incorporate identification and assessment of student learning outcomes into the Standards. In March, the Council also approved a few final matters for Notice and Comment:
- Interpretation 305-3 (Study Outside the Classroom)
- Interpretation 503-3 (Admission Test)
- Standard 505 (Granting of J.D. Degree Credit for Prior Law Study)
- Chapter 8 (Council Authority, Variances, and Amendments)
- Definitions
- Rules of Procedure
Today, the Standards Review Committee (which reports “up to the Council”) posted the agenda and supporting materials for its next meeting which will be held in St. Louis on April 25th . The agenda begins with a Hearing on the matters out for Notice and Comment: Interpretation 305-3, Interpretation 503-3, Standard 505, and Chapter 8. The SRC will review the posted comments as well as the draft final report of the proposed comprehensive changes.
The posted material also includes a helpful summary of Council actions ( Council acts on ABA law school approval standards at March 2014 meeting) and a statement of next steps:
The complete set of revisions is expected to be reviewed by the ABA House of Delegates in August 2014 in accordance with House Rule 45.9. The House may either concur with the Council’s decisions or refer a proposed change back to the Council for further consideration. Any reference back to the Council must include a statement setting forth the reasons for the referral. A decision by the Council is subject to a maximum of two referrals back to the Council by the House. The decision by the Council following the second referral is final.
The end of this comprehensive review is in sight!
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