1. Ontario’s Mandatory High School Community Service Program: Impacts on Student Attitudes & Behaviour Regarding Civic Engagement Steven Brown (WLU), Mark Baetz (WLU), Maureen Drysdale (UW). Kimberly Ellis-Hale (WLU), Joanna Everitt (UNB), John Goyder (UW), Carol Gregory (Conestoga), Ailsa Henderson (UTM), Paulette Padanyi (UG), Mark Pancer (WLU) Co-investigators

2. Research Objectives To compare attitudes & behaviour regarding community service within the Ontario double-cohortTo compare attitudes & behaviour regarding community service within the Ontario double-cohort Does mandating service introduce more students to the Third Sector?Does mandating service introduce more students to the Third Sector? Does it stimulate or inhibit future involvementDoes it stimulate or inhibit future involvement To identify qualitative aspects of the high school community service experience that affect subsequent attitudes and behaviour regarding civic engagementTo identify qualitative aspects of the high school community service experience that affect subsequent attitudes and behaviour regarding civic engagement

3. Research Design Online survey of 4 th year double cohort students at WLU & U. of GuelphOnline survey of 4 th year double cohort students at WLU & U. of Guelph Produced a sample of 794 student respondentsProduced a sample of 794 student respondents Online survey of 1 st year students at 4 post- secondary schools – Conestoga College, WLU, UW & UGOnline survey of 1 st year students at 4 post- secondary schools – Conestoga College, WLU, UW & UG Produced a sample 1478 student respondentsProduced a sample 1478 student respondents

4. Preliminary Results Was the Mandated Service a First Introduction to Community Service? 1 st Year Mandated Students 4 th Year Mandated Students Yes, a first introduction 34%34% No, had volunteered before 66%66% Total100%(1319)100%(391)

5. Preliminary Results Would the Student have Volunteered without the Requirement? 1 st Year Mandated Students 4 th Year Mandated Students No, probably not 19%28% Yes, probably or had volunteered before 81%72% Total100%(1319)100%(391)

6. Preliminary Results Did R Continue to Volunteer after Requirement? (1 st year Sample Only) Forced “Volunteers” Willing “Volunteers” Continued to Volunteer 32%80% Did Not Continue68%20% Total100%(253)100%(1066)

7. Next Steps Address our research questions through analysis of these surveysAddress our research questions through analysis of these surveys Re-contact the student samples as they make their way through 2 nd year university and beyondRe-contact the student samples as they make their way through 2 nd year university and beyond Design research to assess the longer-term value of the high school community service experienceDesign research to assess the longer-term value of the high school community service experience