U.S. Senate States “Strong Support” for Service-Learning
During the past year, many educators and communities have been challenged to support service-learning given the loss in federal funds to major programs including Learn and Serve America. U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee bills released June 14 call for an overall $1.06 billion budget for the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), a 1.3% increase over 2012 levels. Largely in line with current funding levels and the President’s FY 2013 request, the Committee did not include any funding for Learn and Serve America. The Committee did, however, direct the agency to develop a strategy for supporting service-learning.
Specifically, the Labor, Health and Human Services bill approved by the Committee includes the following intent for CNCS regarding service-learning:
The Committee remains strongly supportive of service learning. The Committee encourages CNCS to work with the heads of State service commissions, former Learn and Serve America grantees, SEAs, and other relevant stakeholders to formulate a plan to advance service learning. The Committee further encourages CNCS to become a national resource on service learning by collecting and disseminating model curricula and public information on school districts that provide service learning opportunities for school-aged children.
The same Senate Labor HHS report also reaffirms the agency’s calling to “engage Americans of all ages in service” by specifically describing the work of CNCS “to create service opportunities for students, out-of-school youth, and adults.”
This action from the Senate comes two months after Wendy Spencer was confirmed and took office as CEO of CNCS on April 9.
The slight increase in the agency’s overall budget for fiscal year 2013 contrasts with the U.S. House budget proposal, which de-funds most CNCS programs and effectively terminates the agency. While the inclusion of service-learning funding at the federal level remains unknown, these bills will inform the process to come.
