A movement has swept across America where school systems have begun requiring students to volunteer in order to graduate. This new prerequisite has two main flaws that it imposes on High School students. The first problem is that lots of students don’t have time to do any service because they have other commitments; this prerequisite would, secondly, remove a distinguishing element from students who already do community service and excel in school.
To address the first problem about the lack of time for some individuals, we can look at how many student schedules are already over saturated with activities. Most students have so many obligations outside of school that they often struggle to find time to even do their homework, let alone do community service. They spend the majority of their hours either at school, doing sports, or working. If we were to make volunteer hours a requisite to graduating these thousands of students would be forced to give up their other commitments to complete this requirement.
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It is common knowledge that volunteering gives college applicants a better chance at being accepted, and in some cases get them into larger colleges than previously possible. By requiring all students to have service hours removes the uniqueness that many students use to set themselves above other applicants with similar grades. This all makes it harder for graduates with hopes of going to better colleges, and may even improve the resume of others who wouldn’t have volunteered their time had it not been for the requirement. We must keep volunteer work an optional service to allow students to make the choice whether or not to improve their college
Community service hours are a significant issue to all students around the globe, as they are taking a substantial amount of time away from their lives scouring for some kind of work to do. This is especially a problem for those who do not live near any public organizations, and do not have the schedule to do any work for them. Most students go searching around their neighborhood asking if their neighbors have any work for them, which does not help anyone academically. Thus, most community service hours that are done don’t relate to their academic classes or technical area.
If schools wanted to encourage community service then they shouldn’t force students to do it. Schools should let students know about volunteering opportunities and possibly let them sign up for the school so that it is easier for them to do so if they want
Imagine a typical teen, they have a job, homework, sports, and other extracurriculars. They don’t get home till late at night and they are exhausted. This teen can take much more and thankfully they are about to graduate, but wait the school wants them to fit in one hundred of community service into that schedule in order to graduate. How on earth is this busey teen suppose to do that with all that they have going on? Students should not have to do one hundred hours of community service to graduate high school.
At the start of the semester each year, students of all ages are asked the same questions. What kinds of classes are you enrolled in? I am in five AP classes. And? I am also playing varsity volleyball. And? I go to music lessons every Wednesday and Saturday for violin. Well, how about community service? There must come a point when society needs to step back and really focus on the damage that words have on the young mind, and on the fact that children are simply incapable of juggling all of these demands, both physically and mentally. Instead of expecting so much out of a child when they are already involved with plenty of (and in most cases, too many) activities, it should cross the mind to offer
Instead of allowing dropouts to rely on government assistance, high schools should implement volunteer programs to keep students in school.
In fact, the purpose of school is to educate knowledge and responsibility for future jobs and community positions. So, schools offer a plethora of activities for diverse student bodies. Nearly 80% of students participate in extracurriculars, and 57% of students have activities outside of school every day (“Survey…”). Every student is different; therefore, a broad program should not be forced upon students, especially when diverse extracurriculars are already in place. Additionally, over a quarter of 16 to 19 year olds have jobs (“Unemployment Remains...”). Between extracurriculars, part-time jobs, and academics, young citizens are forced to learn about time management, patience, and hard work. Moreover, students already volunteer on their own. Organizations such as Student Council and the National Honors Society require that their members participate in school or community events. Public service hours also factor into college acceptances and scholarship awards. When students are already learning leadership skills by volunteering on their own, requiring extra volunteer hours can be easily mistaken as a punishment or chore. Most high schoolers have tight schedules. It is even more tasteless to enforce mandatory public service upon students because they are “disadvantaged” (Levine 639). Here, volunteerism sounds more like court-ordered community service than an educational opportunity. Students,
Kim, in the United States, grades are not the only factor in evaluating school applicants and job candidates. From Rhodes Scholar selections to college applications, excellence in other areas such as leadership, volunteer activities, sports and arts is equally important (p82-90). In American schools, students are encouraged to do volunteer work. So much so that many schools have guidelines for how much time students are expected to spend serving in the community. Children learn the value of giving from an early age. Volunteer activities is one way Americans feel a part of things and share the goal of serving and contributing to build their communities. From neighborhood watch programs to environmental issues, Americans do not wait for the government to initiate action: they take action to bring about the changes they desire. Therefore, Americans view volunteer work as a way to teach children and young adults values such as cooperation and teamwork, dedication and work ethics, equality and social justice, leadership, generosity and compassion for
Taking time to volunteer at the many nonprofit organizations, homeless shelters, advocacy centers, philanthropic fundraisers, local schools and child care facilities in the inner city is not always at the forefront of young people’s minds while navigating through their college experiences. But, with a little push from student organizations, local nonprofits and passionate individuals, volunteerism and community change can start to take a front seat and become not just an opportunity, but also a priority in the lives of young people.
When reviewing the literature regarding the past, present and future of educational curriculum, several main points seem apparent, namely that curriculum is cyclical, that a dilemma or paradox exists, and that curriculum must be looked at with a sensitive view.
Secondly, as grim a fact as it is, we need to consider that students are already struggling as it is on average. Outside the education realm, students might have to deal with issues such as social status, self-esteem, up-and-down relationships with friends or significant others, or even worse parents, which could lead to a whole other batch of problems alone. Of course, assuming none of these problems arise, we find that they most of all struggle with their education. According to a speech given by President Obama, 1.2 million students drop out of high school every year. If you add more requirements for graduation can we really expect any better? Let’s certainly not forget that many schools probably shouldn’t have more on their plate either. Around 2,000 high schools make up 60% of these drop outs. That means 12% of all American high schools have a high concentration of problems, and if they can’t do their basic function of teaching them how can we expect them to handle mandatory community service?
Some people believe that community service is beneficial, it will be harmful to students and their time. As a senior in high school, I can testify that the majority of my time is spent with homework, college applications, and responsibilities at home. As it stands right now, I barely have any free time to myself. With this in mind, I am not the only student who has pre existing responsibilities that takes up almost all of my day. Almost every student within the senior` class spend the majority of their time like I do; homework, college applications, chores, then sleep. If community service hours were required, those hours would take up the miniscule amount of free hours senior students have to themselves. Senior, Adam Sandlin, was asked if he would rather spend his free time doing what he wants or performing community service and
Working under the Division of Student Affairs, the Center for Community Engagement (CCE) at the University of Arkansas has a mission to empower students working to change the world through service. By cultivating students’ strengths, facilitating their learning in identifying societal needs, and empowering them to create solutions for those in need, CCE strives to accomplish its vision. Established in 2011, CCE functions as an agent bridging the gap between campus and the community. CCE promotes relationship-focused, student-driven, and service-minded engagement to help students create a better community through service. CCE’s program, the Volunteer Action Center (VAC), provides the students with numerous opportunities to get involved with
If you had to contribute to the service, the joy that volunteers feel would be weakened. You shouldn’t do something just because you have to, you have to love what you’re doing. You wouldnt get the best of effort out of everyone if they had to do it. The quality of the work wouldnt be what the government hoped for.
Should it be obligatory to have a high school education? When you are in high school, it is difficult enough to plan the next couple of weeks, let alone the rest of your life. Being able to see that far into the future would undoubtedly make all students realise how valuable it is to have a finished education. Instead of leaving it up to children to potentially ruin their adult life, not having the education needed, there should be a law making it mandatory to finish a high school education. Money has never been an issue, it has always been free for everyone.
Volunteering: The great experience no one can afford to lose. Opposers say, mandatory community service can have several negative effects on students. “Community service hours are impressive additions to college applications and can provide a student with a great sense of accomplishment; however, the mandatory hours will have many negative consequences” (Cydney Hayes, 2012). Many students are barely even passing the regular school curriculum, and opposers believe that adding the additional load of mandatory service hours will discourage teens from even wanting to graduate. Also mandatory service is usually assigned by a court as punishment to delinquents. “In a small number of cases, community service is required by the court system as restitution for delinquent offenses” (Planty and Bozick, 2006).