SERVICE-LEARNING

Given the challenges we face as a Nation, educating our young people to be knowledgeable, skillful, and engaged citizens of a free society has never been more important. Achieving that goal requires that our schools become centers of academic excellence. It also requires that they become places where our students can acquire the habits of civic participation, responsibility and service that are essential to American democratic life . Students must learn to see themselves as participants in our democracy. They need to be able to put their knowledge and ideas into practice by helping to solve real community problems alongside other community members. American schools have long encouraged students to participate in volunteer service in many forms – ranging from individual volunteer activities, to service projects organized by student groups or faculty members, to formal service projects that link academic lessons.

The Bryan Independent School District decided to integrate community service more closely to the academic curricula, a practice known as service-learning . They realized that service is a habit, and like most habits, it is most effectively developed at an early age. They also discovered the potential service-learning effects: increased student engagement, improved academic achievement, improved thinking skills, improved character, improved social behavior, stronger ties to the school and the community, exposure to new careers, positive school environments and increased community support for the school. The most important feature of service-learning is that both learning and service are emphasized. For example, students in quality service-learning projects should be graded on what they learn, just as they would be for any other assignment. The service that students perform should have a strong connection to the curriculum they are studying.

In addition to service-learning, students are encouraged to join clubs and organizations at Bryan High that will allow students to participate in community service projects. Each of these organizations records the students' participation in service and reports them to the S-L Coordinator. Students will also be encouraged to keep up with their service hours on the pages provided in the student agenda and turn them into the S-L Coordinator each semester. At the end of each school year, students are encouraged to apply for scholarships and awards that recognize their efforts in serving the community. Some of the awards students may be eligible for are: The Congressional Award, the Daily Point of Light Award, The President's Student Service Award, The Presidential Freedom Scholarship and the Prudential Spirit of Community Award. All of these activities and awards will help students with applications when pursuing college and future careers.