[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 51 (Tuesday, April 30, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3556-S3557]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     THE SCHOOL SERVICE ACT OF 2002

 Mr. SMITH of Oregon. Mr. President, yesterday I joined my 
colleagues, Senator Edwards and Senator Clinton, in introducing the 
School Service Act of 2002. This legislation will offer new support to 
school districts across America that want to give their students the 
opportunity to learn through community service.
  Service-learning is much more than just community service done by 
school students, it is a method of classroom instruction that engages a 
student's intellect through hands-on work outside the classroom that 
benefits the community at large. Research shows that students 
participating in service-learning make gains on achievement tests, 
complete their homework more often, and increase their grade point 
averages. Service-learning is also associated with both increased 
attendance and reduced dropout rates. It is clear to educators across 
the country that service-learning helps students feel more connected to 
their own education while strengthening their connection to their 
community as well.
  Thousands of students across Oregon participate in formal service-
learning, and nearly every student in Oregon engages in community 
service through their schoolwork at some point or another, they just 
don't know that it's called service-learning. The School Service Act 
will give local schools and school districts the resources they need to 
formalize their commitment to service-learning. Under this legislation, 
school districts are eligible to apply for grants if they choose to 
make meaningful community service a requirement for graduation. It is 
my hope that

[[Page S3557]]

schools will take advantage of this funding opportunity, and give their 
students the chance to experience the benefits of an education tied to 
community service.
  My own State of Oregon is a national leader in service-learning, and 
I hope that this bill will help schools in my state continue their 
commitment to reclaiming the public purpose of education. I also hope 
that the School Service Act will encourage the further spread of 
service-learning across America, because I believe that it will improve 
education and, perhaps as important, instill students with an ethic of 
public service that will stay with them throughout their lives.

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