NCoC: Should Service-learning be Mandatory?

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Should Service-learning be Mandatory?

December 2, 2008

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photo courtesy of Saint Aquinas

Forty-seven percent answered that traditional classes were not interesting.

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Peter Levine on Mandatory Service-learningService–learning is tremendously valuable. When done well, it transforms students' lives, helping them to become active citizens, to succeed in school, and to develop skills for the workplace. But I think the idea of a requirement is premature, or maybe even a permanent mistake.
John Bridgeland on Mandatory Service-learningService–learning is a critical tool in dropout prevention. Research has shown that high–quality service–learning programs can help keep students engaged in their coursework and school, while strengthening their leadership skills, civic awareness, writing proficiencies, and understandings of important public policy issues.
Nelda Brown on Mandatory Service-learningAs someone who believes in the power of learning through service, I am excited by attempts to give students universal access to service–learning. Mandating service–learning is one way to do this. Mandates, however, are not the only way...

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Education is the key to state’s civic healthOctober 25, 2008

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The dropout rate in U.S. high schools is at epidemic proportions. One third of all public high school students fail to graduate and up to 50 per cent of minority students lack a high school diploma. When asked why they have become disengaged from the learning environment, 47 percent answered that traditional classes were not interesting. In short, students were bored.

When students drop out it’s not only their lives that are affected. Dropouts impact their communities, productivity, the economy, and the nation as a whole. The future for those who do not complete high school is grim. Dropouts are eight times more likely to be in jail or prison than someone with a high school diploma and it is estimated the nation spends up to 2.3 million dollars on every youth who does not complete school.

Recent studies indicate that service-learning can play a major role in keeping students interested in their studies, thus improving attendance rates. In fact, service-learning can positively affect classroom issues ranging from improved behavior, academic performance and help students with leadership skills and self-confidence. Given all that service-learning can do, is it time to push for mandatory service-learning in public schools?

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2 Comments

By Nick Troiano at 11:17 PM on Dec 1st, 2008

I think that Service Learning should be an option for all students in all public schools, though I do not think it should be mandatory. The value of service is that much greater when it is fully voluntary. Why not work to incentivize it as many have suggested? Our government should offer low-interest loans to students to use toward a higher education when they serve their communities. Colleges should place greater emphasis on applicants who demonstrate they can use their skills to create social change. ...
At the end of the day, the question of service is one each individual has to make. We cannot devalue its significance and role in our country by making it compulsory. We need to educate Americans of all ages, by our own actions and through the inspiration of our leaders, the meaning of true citizenship and have faith in our greatest tradition that they will respond.

By Gay Pinder at 1:22 PM on Dec 3rd, 2008

Thanks for your thoughtful comment, Nick. Check back again for additional expert commentaries to be posted soon.

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