In this issue:
Service-Learning
by Sherry Unger, Student Service-Learning Specialist
Service-learning
is a teaching method that combines meaningful service to the community
with curriculum-based learning. Students improve their academic skills
by applying what they learn in school to the real world; they then reflect
on their experience to reinforce the link between their service and their
learning. Service-learning enriches the lives of all students. It provides
developmental opportunities that promote personal, social, and intellectual
growth, as well as civic responsibility and career exploration.
The Maryland State Department of Education has mandated that all students
must complete 75 hours of service-learning in order to graduate. Each
county developed their service-learning plan. In Prince George’s
County, 39 hours of service-learning are infused into the curriculum in
middle and high courses. These courses include grade 7 and grade 8 Family
and Consumer Science; Grade 7 Health Education; grade 8 English; grade
9 Social Studies; and high school Biology. Students must complete the
remaining 36 hours in service activities in their community. Students
earn hours through direct service (i.e., assisting at a soup kitchen),
indirect service (i.e., canned food drive) or through advocacy activities
(petitioning governmental agencies concerning environmental issues). These
36 hours must be organized or arranged by the student, although opportunities
for earning service-learning hours are also available through school-sponsored
and extracurricular activities.
Editor's note: Though this article discusses service-learning requirements for Maryland and, specifically, Prince George's County, D.C. and Virginia public schools also have similar requirements.
In Memoriam: The BTW staff would like to express its profound sympathy to the family of Sherry Unger, who was killed in an automobile accident in June.
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