111th CONGRESS 1st Session S. CON. RES. 46 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES CONCURRENT RESOLUTION Recognizing the benefits of service-learning and expressing support for the goals of the National Learn and Serve Challenge.

Whereas service-learning is a teaching method that enhances academic learning by integrating classroom content with relevant activities aimed at addressing identified needs in a community or school; Whereas service-learning has been used both in school and community-based settings as a teaching strategy to enhance learning by building on youth experiences, granting youth a voice in learning, and making instructional goals and objectives more relevant to youth; Whereas service-learning addresses the dropout epidemic in the United States by making education more hands-on and relevant, and has been especially effective in addressing the dropout epidemic with respect to disadvantaged youth; Whereas service-learning is proven to provide the greatest benefits to disadvantaged and at-risk youth by building self-confidence, which often translates into overall academic and personal success; Whereas service-learning provides not only meaningful experiences, but improves the quantity and quality of interactions between youth and potential mentors in the community; Whereas service-learning empowers youth as actively engaged learners, citizens, and contributors to the community; Whereas youth engaged in service-learning provide critical service to the community by addressing a variety of needs in towns, cities, and States, including needs such as tutoring young children, care of the elderly, community nutrition, disaster relief, environmental stewardship, financial education, and public safety; Whereas far-reaching and diverse research shows that service-learning enhances the academic, career, cognitive, and civic development of students in kindergarten through 12th grade, and students at institutions of higher education; Whereas service-learning strengthens and increases the number of partnerships among institutions of higher education, local schools, and communities, which strengthens communities and improves academic learning; Whereas service-learning programs allow a multitude of skilled and enthusiastic college students to serve in the communities surrounding their colleges; Whereas service-learning programs engage students in actively addressing and solving pressing community issues and strengthen the ability of nonprofit organizations to meet community needs; Whereas Learn and Serve America, a program established under subtitle B of title I of the National and Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12521 et seq.), is the only federally funded program dedicated to service-learning and engages more than 1,100,000 youth in service-learning each year; Whereas Learn and Serve America is a highly cost-effective program, with an average cost of approximately $25 per participant and leverage of $1 for every Federal dollar invested; Whereas the National Learn and Serve Challenge is an annual event that, in 2009, will take place October 5 through October 11; and Whereas the National Learn and Serve Challenge spotlights the value of service-learning to young people, schools, college campuses, and communities, encourages others to launch service-learning activities, and increases recognition of Learn and Serve America: Now, therefore, be it

That Congress— (1)recognizes the benefits of service-learning, which include— (A)enriching and enhancing academic outcomes for youth; (B)engaging youth in positive experiences in the community; and (C)encouraging youth to make more constructive choices with regards to their lives; (2)encourages schools, school districts, college campuses, community-based organizations, nonprofit organizations, and faith-based organizations to provide youth with more service-learning opportunities; and (3)expresses support for the goals of the National Learn and Serve Challenge.

Passed the Senate October 14, 2009. Secretary