The Board of Trustees recognizes that service learning can enhance academic outcomes, help students develop the skills and knowledge necessary to become informed and responsible citizens, and aid in individual career development. Service learning experiences may also motivate students by providing them the opportunity to apply their studies to school and community needs and showing them that they can make a contribution to their community through involved citizenship.
(cf. 1020 - Youth Services)
(cf. 6000 - Concepts and Roles)
(cf. 6011 - Academic Standards)
(cf. 6142.3 - Civic Education)
Service Learning
The Board supports service learning instructional strategies as integral components of the district's curriculum. The Board encourages staff to collaborate with local public and nonprofit agencies in order to develop service learning activities that meet educational objectives, align with state and local academic standards, and address current community needs.
(cf. 1600 - Relations Between other Governmental Agencies and the Schools)
(cf. 1700 - Relations Between Private Industry and the Schools)
The Superintendent or designee shall develop a service learning plan which:
1. Integrates service learning into one or more of the core academic areas of science, English, social science, or mathematics at each grade span (K-5 and 6-8) and includes instructional formats planned by teachers and students
2. Ensures that the service learning opportunities offered by the district help meet identified community needs and include a balance of on-campus and off-campus activities
3. Involves administrators, students, teachers, parents/guardians, and community members in the development, implementation, and evaluation of the district's plan, including a determination as to how projects will be evaluated as well as how supervision and transportation issues will be addressed
(cf. 6143 - Courses of Study)
The Superintendent or designee shall provide the Board with regular reports on the implementation of the plan and its effectiveness in meeting the district's goals for service learning.
(cf. 6190 - Evaluation of the Instructional Program)
(cf. 9000 - Role of the Board)
Notifications
Parents/guardians shall receive information about the service learning or community service opportunities offered by the district and their benefits for both the community and the student. The district shall ask parents/guardians to acknowledge this information and provide consent before their child participates in any off-campus service activities.
Legal Reference:
EDUCATION CODE
233.5 Teaching of principles
35160 Authority of governing boards
35160.1 Broad authority of school districts
37220.6 Cesar Chavez Day of Service and Learning
51210 Areas of study, grades 1-6
51220 Areas of study, grades 7-12
51745 Independent study
UNITED STATES CODE, TITLE 42
12501-12682 National and Community Service Trust Act of 1993
COURT DECISIONS
Steirer et al v. Bethlehem School District, (1993) 987 F.2d 989
Management Resources:
WEB SITES
CSBA: http://www.csba.org
California Department of Education, Service Learning: http://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/cr/sl
Learn and Serve America: http://www.learnandserve.org
National Service Learning Clearinghouse: http://www.servicelearning.org
Youth Service California: http://www.yscal.org
Policy BURLINGAME SCHOOL DISTRICT
adopted: September 21, 2010 Burlingame, California