Article Review- School Based Required Service

A Demonstration That School-Based Required Service Does Not Deter-but
Heightens-Volunteerism
by Edward Metz; James Youniss
PS: Political Science and Politics, Vol. 36, No. 2, (Apr.,2003), pp.281-286

In the article listed above, the authors discuss the findings of a case study that they conducted surrounding the introduction of required community service as a prerequisite for high school graduation. The study was conducted in a public high school located in a middle class suburb outside of Boston. The requirement took effect with the class of 2001, so they conducted a study with the classes of 2000, 2001, and 2002.

This article uses the case study, to further disclaim the reasons opponents of mandatory service often voice, "mandated service is an oxymoron which infringes on adolescents' need for autonomy and on individual liberty." The authors contend that their findings support the notion that mandatory service did not turn the students off from service, but that the required service was a positive motivating force.

The study shows that of the students that were already inclined to serve, they completed their service earlier in their high school years, grades 10 or 11, and went on to perform more community service on top of the requirement. While, the students that were less inclined to serve, waited until grade 12 to fulfill the service requirement. However, both groups had a positive feeling following their service and were planning on serving again at some time in the future.

The article has some really interesting findings and suggestions. I agree with the authors that more can be learned from a longer term longitudinal study to find out how or if the students that claimed an interest in continued service, actually volunteered again. I also noticed that the authors and all of the referenced materials they used for their article failed to look at the impact on the community if any was created by the students required service. As we continue to be concerned with the idea of national service and especially engaging youth in service, many studies have been conducted about how to motivate students and the programs used to do so, the impact on the students, and the success and or failure of the programs. However, there is little or no (that I have been able to find) research into how the students service actually impact the community or organization that they serve with. Are the required community service student volunteers positively impacting the mission of the organization they are serving with?