2005 Budget Proposal Includes Increase for Learn and Serve America

President Bush announced his 2005 budget on February 2. For the first time in more than a decade, the budget proposes an increase in funding for Learn and Serve America program funds. It contains an overall request of $46 million for Learn and Serve America, $3 million more than the current funding level.

Learn and Serve America, a program of The Corporation for National and Community Service, supports service-learning programs in schools and community organizations that help nearly one million students from kindergarten through college meet community needs, while improving their academic skills and learning the habits of good citizenship. Learn and Serve grants are used to create new programs or replicate existing programs, as well as to provide training and development to staff, faculty, and volunteers.

The additional funds are proposed for the Learn and Serve America Higher Education category and will be targeted toward providing high-quality training for educators in service-learning. By enhancing the quality and quantity of training that educators receive, the program will be able to engage more young people in meaningful service to their communities.

"This first step is a major milestone for all of us ; and one that will take all of our efforts to ensure its success," says Amy Cohen, the program's director. "The future of Learn and Serve America is one in which educational institutions form even stronger collaborations with civic, faith-based, and community groups and in which all young people have the opportunity to participate in meaningful service experiences that build their civic, academic, and service abilities and potential."

NYLC is pleased by this development. By investing in the professional development of educators, Learn and Serve America stands to improve the quality of service-learning and leverage greater student participation.