Recently, Education Week reported on volunteerism and civic duty being taught in schools (http://www.edweek.org/login.html?source=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.edweek.org%2Few%2Farticles%2F2008%2F11%2F06%2F190509txyoungvolunteers_ap.html&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.edweek.org%2Few%2Farticles%2F2008%2F11%2F06%2F190509txyoungvolunteers_ap.html&levelId=1000&baddebt=false). I think this is a great concept as it is very important. Today's younger generation does tend to be very much a ME generation and programs such as these are great exposure to outstanding character education which I think is very important.
I have heard of schools that may require this as a graduation pre-requisite. I am not sure that I agree with this as there are different reasons a kid might not be able to or other factors here. However, I think exposure to this and the opportunity and encouragement to do so for this generation is definitely advantageous.
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Great post Tania! When you are a kid, no matter what generation you are from, you think the world revolves around you. I think it would be awesome for schools to introduce volunteerism to their students to show them that there is a bigger world out there. I understand what you are saying about the difficulties of making volunteering mandatory, but I think if the program was structured correctly it could work. I think the concept would have to be introduced to parents and students in the beginning of the school year. The school would have to give a specific number of hours for all students to complete over the course of the year. This would give them the chance to complete this service when they could, working around their schedule. Forms could be made up so students who volunteered on their own could get them signed to document their efforts. In addition, the school should arrange for service projects throughout the year so students could participate in them to meet the requirements. This would assure that even students who could not get transportation or find volunteer work on their own would be able to complete their hours. These projects could be introduced at the beginning of the year in the community service assembly to get students excited and thinking ahead about projects they may want to help out with. Food, coat or toy drives, cleaning up a local park, or visiting a nursing home may be some projects anyone it the school could work on. There could also be class specific projects. For instance, when I was in high school my art class and I all made puppets and designed and presented a puppet show for elementary students about saying no to drugs. I am glad you brought up the topic, I think if it was done correctly this would be an awesome way to teach kids social responsibility.
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