Middlesex County Bar Foundation 2016 Project Law Essay Contest

Transcription

1 Middlesex County Bar Foundation 2016 Project Law Essay Contest Equal Protection Rights Rebecca Johnson is in the process of completing her Associate s Degree at Middlesex County College ( MCC ) in the fall of Rebecca has received numerous scholarships which have funded her studies at MCC. For the continuation of her undergraduate studies, Rebecca has been accepted into Seton Hall University where she plans to obtain a degree in accounting. Rebecca s studies will commence in January 2016 and she plans to attend on a full-time basis (12 credits per semester). The cost for Seton Hall University is approximately $18, per semester. Rebecca s parents divorced in She lived with her mother and had on and off communication with her father until her high school graduation in She has lived with her Aunt Susan since then. Given her financial situation (minimal savings and substantial credit card debt), Rebecca plans on suing both her mother and father for contribution toward her Seton Hall University tuition. Rebecca has consulted with an attorney, who indicates that her situation mirrors the recently public case of Caitlyn Ricci which was decided in the Camden County Superior Court in Write an essay discussing the following: 1) the merits of Rebecca s case pursuant to Newburgh v. Arrigo, 88 N.J. 529 (1982) and all other relevant case law; and 2) whether current New Jersey case law consisting of Newburgh and its progeny violates the Equal Protection rights of separated, divorced, and unmarried parents who are compelled to financially contribute to their child s college education. Give the reasons for your position. o Provide a thesis statement which clearly outlines your position. o Research and refer a minimum of 3 sources and/or cases to support your position. o Follow the MLA format for writing your essay and most importantly in citing all sources. o Attach a Works Cited page at the end of your essay, in MLA format. o Any essay submissions adhere to MLA Format and the additional guidelines set forth will be disqualified. SEE ATTACHED PAGES FOR ADDITIONAL GUIDELINES.

2 GUIDELINES ESSAYS THAT FAIL TO CONFORM TO THESE GUIDELINES WILL NOT BE JUDGED! FORMAT Cover page Your own title 2-3 pages ( words) Double spaced Numbered pages 12 point font 1 inch margins Stapled NO NAME ANYWHERE OTHER THAN COVER PAGE COVER PAGE Required (See model attached) STANDARD Modern Language Association (MLA) JUDGING Scoring based on: Content Organization Sentence structure Conformity to format and MLA standards ALL ESSAYS JUDGED ANONYMOUSLY BY PROFESSIONAL EDUCATORS DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 26, 2016 All essays must be postmarked, ed or hand-delivered by February 26, 2016 to: Middlesex County Bar Foundation 87 Bayard Street New Brunswick, NJ Essays submitted after February 26, 2016 will NOT be accepted ESSAYS & QUESTIONS MAY BE SENT TO: admin@mcbalaw.com

3 COVER PAGE FORMAT Student s name Student s home address Student s home telephone number Student s address (optional) Student s high school Student s teacher Class (e.g., English, History, Political Science) Student s own title: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

4 New Jersey Registered Holistic Scoring Rubric (for GEPA/HSPA only) In Scoring, consider the grid of written language Inadequate Limited Partial Adequate Strong Superior Score Content & Organization May lack Minimal response to topic; uncertain focus May lack Attempts to focus May drift or shift focus May lack opening and/or Usually has single focus Generally has Single focus Opening and Single focus Sense of unity and coherence Key ideas developed Opening and Single, distinct focus Unified and coherent Well-developed Usage Sentence Construction Mechanics No planning ; disorganized Details random, inappropriate, or barely apparent No apparent control Severe/ numerous Assortment of incomplete and/or incorrect sentences Errors so severe they detract from Attempts organization Few, if any, transitions between ideas Details lack elaboration, i.e., highlight paper Numerous Excessive monotony/ same structure Numerous Numerous serious Some lapses or flaws in organization May lack some transitions between ideas Repetitious details Several unelaborated details Errors/ patterns of may be Little variety in syntax Some Patterns of Ideas loosely connected Transition Uneven development of details Some Some No consistent pattern of Some Logical progression of ideas Moderately fluent Attempts compositional risks Details appropriate and varied Few Few Few Logical progression of ideas Fluent, cohesive Compositional risks successful Details effective, vivid, explicit, and/or pertinent Very few, if any, Very few, if any, Very few, if any, Non-Scorable Responses NR = No Response OT = Off Topic/ Off Task NE = Not English WF = Wrong Format Student wrote too little to allow reliable judgment of his/her writing. Student did not write on the assigned topic/task, or the student attempted to copy the prompt. Student wrote in a language other than English. Student refused to write on the topic, or the writing task folder was blank. Content & Organization Usage Sentence Construction Mechanics Communicates intended message to intended audience Relates to topic Opening and Focused Logical progression of ideas Transitions Appropriate details and information Tense formation Subject-verb agreement Pronouns usage/agreement Word choice/ Proper modifiers Variety of type, structure, and length Correct construction Spelling Capitalization Punctuation

5 PROJECT LAW 2016 ESSAY CONTEST Response Form Please fill out the following information and return it in the self-addressed envelope no later than Friday, January 15, 2016 if your school plans to participate in this year s contest. Name of School: Address of School: Number of Participants: (for judging purposes) Department Head: Contact Person(s): Daytime Phone #: Evening Phone #: (Middlesex County Bar Foundation respects your privacy and your address will be kept on file for MCBF USE ONLY!) Please Note: Please complete and return this form in the enclosed envelope by January 15, Essay entries must be hand delivered, postmarked or ed by February 26, * In the past, many students have been disqualified due to essay submission after the deadline. The Foundation s Education Committee will respond promptly to any questions forwarded to the Middlesex County Bar Foundation at admin@mcbalaw.com. Thank you for your cooperation! Best of Luck to all in PROJECT LAW 2016!