GIVE Act- Learn and Serve Funding

The end of our course is quickly apporaching, but the activity surrounding the GIVE Act has seen some recent action. The GIVE act made it to the full house for a vote, but was defeated by one vote. The newest version inlcuded some interesting new admendments including a Congressional Committee on Service. Based on our research, our class has developed an "ideal" service framework through which to assess exsisting programs. It has been a valuable exercise and I know we all would like to have more time to devote to the development of the "ideal" type, assessment, and recommendations for the exisiting fragmented system. Unfortunatlely, we leave that task to the class that continues the project next year.

I want to spend a little time discussing the Learn and Serve program in particular. Since my research has focused on service-learning and its potential impact on civic engagement, especially among younger students, it is only natural that this is the program I spent the most time reviewing. I feel Learn and Serve is the national program that could be incredibly successful. The program meets many of the requirements for an "ideal" service experience. The program also has a solid research body supporting its goals and successful service-learning program guidelines for schools interested in implementing them. However, the GIVE Act only earmarks $43,000,000.00 for Learn and Serve, which is less than a million dollars per state. Of the various Serve and Learn program, 6% of the funds allocated for competitve grants are designated for service-learning programs that promote civic engagement. These programs are defined as those that
"`(A) promote a better understanding of the principles of the Constitution of the United States, the heroes of American history (including military heroes), and the meaning of the Oath of Allegiance;
`(B) promote a better understanding of how the Nation's government functions; and
`(C) promote a better understanding of the importance of service in the Nation's character."

The most important lessons learned from reviewing the current legislation and National Service programs is that they are extremely fragmented and underfunded. If we are to have a truley effective Service System, then funding needs to be increased and a coherent, continuous system of service opportunites needs to be implemented.