Expanding CA High School Service Learning Programs - Legislative Report

California Department of Education Report to the Legislature: California Serves: Strategies to Expand High-Quality and Accessible Service Learning Programs in California High Schools

Executive Summary

This report is required by California Education Code (EC) Section 51475(b)(1). This statute was added by Assembly Bill 181 (Section 71, Statutes of 2022), which established the annual California Serves grant program. Statute requires the California Department of Education (CDE), in partnership with California volunteers, to review the available evidence on ways to incorporate effective service-learning for pupils in grades nine through twelve, and to provide recommendations to the Legislature, consistent with the recommended criteria and guidance for the State Seal of Civic Engagement (SSCE), on evidence-based strategies to expand access to high quality service-learning programs. This report summarizes a variety of evidence-based best practices in service-learning, and provides guidance on how these best practices may be equitably incorporated into high school programs in a way that encourages and supports equitable access to the SSCE.

This report contains a summary of existing, current research into service-learning, as well as civic engagement and learning as it relates to and supports high-quality service-learning programs. The report provides information on best practices and useful resources for California local educational agencies (LEAs) that serve grades nine through twelve (9–12). These recommendations are geared at supporting LEAs with existing SSCE programs, as well as those in the process of developing new SSCE programs. The recommendations are based on general research into service-learning, and direct experience launching the SSCE program since September 2020.

Additionally, this report is related to the annual California Serves grant, also established by AB 181. This annual grant appropriates $5 million to eligible LEAs to support establishment or expansion of local programs for grades 9–12 that award the SSCE specifically through service-learning. The first cycle of 12 grant recipients was posted on May 12, 2023. A separate report to the Legislature, due November 5, 2024, and annually thereafter, will be prepared to report on the grant activities.

If you have questions, please contact Sarah Smith, Education Programs Consultant, Professional Learning Innovations Office, Professional Learning Support Division, at 916-323-5818 or SSmith@cde.ca.gov.

Report to the Legislature: California Serves: Strategies to Expand High-Quality and Accessible Service Learning Programs in California High Schools (DOCX)