Program Review Committee: Service Credit

Committee members present: Elizabeth Burlingham, Mike McCoy, Deb Sandholm, Chris Spera, Max Gaumer

Meeting Date: Dec. 4, 2002

We met with Steve Hodson from Dixon High School to talk about Dixon's community service program. Their program is administered through the counseling department and is an elective for juniors and seniors for a total of two semesters. They have between 80-90 students in the program. Attendance and a 500-word essay are the major criteria for passing.

Many of the students work in the special education life skills program at the high school during the school day. Five free absences in a semester are allowed without making up the time whether the absences are excused or not. Make up activities are at the discretion of the teacher or program supervisor, Steve Hodson. Others drive to the elementary or middle school to volunteer.

Other students have chosen to serve outside the school day at the local YMCA, Tri-County Opportunities, nursing homes, or the animal shelter. Their requirements include 70 clock hours of service and a 500-word paper.

Some of the changes Steve is considering for the upcoming year are;

1. Program name change - community service has the judicial connotation

2. Have a parent permission form for liability when student leaves school

3. Attendance verification, do weekly accounting so problems can be noted earlier

4. Look for ways to extend service to involve more community organizations

The kinds of students currently in Dixon's program are the top end. Some students see it as a way for early graduation but both teachers and students as a whole see it as a worthwhile program. In fact, enrollment is limited and not all students can enroll who are interested. Priority goes to the seniors.

Our committee also received a copy of Ashton's proposal for service learning, which we will discuss at our next meeting.