1. What is Student Service Learning?
A state graduation requirement.
A teaching method that addresses real
community need through meaningful service and curriculum-based learning.
Give a Little Time,
Make a Big Difference 1

2. High quality service learning promotes civic knowledge, civic engagement, academic success, character and social development in students.
SSL neither substitutes for, nor replaces service to families, neighbors, and/or fellow religious organization members. 2

3. A student involved in high quality Service Learning activities:
meets a recognized need in the community.
achieves curricular objectives.
gains necessary knowledge and skills.
plans ahead.
works with existing service organizations.
develops a sense of responsibility.
reflects throughout the experience. 3

4. Requirement
Beginning with the class of 2011, MCPS students will complete 75 SSL hours for graduation.
MCPS students may begin to work on this graduation requirement the summer after completing grade 5. They continue to accrue hours throughout high school.
The requirement is prorated according to first time enrollment in MCPS after grade 6. 4

5. Hours required for graduation
MCPS SSL Prorating
Class of 2011
Enrolled in MCPS
Hours required for graduation
Grade 6 75
Grade 7 65
Grade 8 55
Grade 9 45
Grade 10 35
Grade 11 20
Grade 12 10 5

6. How can students earn SSL hours?
Specific academic courses.
grade 6 Science
grade 7 English
grade 8 Social Studies
some high school electives
2. School-sponsored clubs
and organizations with service activities.
3. Pre-approved community organizations. 6

7. Participation in School Sponsored Clubs and Organizations
An entertainment event (play, concert, game) qualifies for SSL if it includes a charitable component:
a target audience is involved. or
a portion of the proceeds go to a charitable cause.
donations for a charitable cause are collected for later delivery to a nonprofit organization. 7

8. Examples of School SSL Activities
* Most service must occur outside the instructional day
TUTOR
Support other students in academic areas.
CHILD CARE PROVIDER
Attend to children while parents meet for school-related functions.
PARTICIPANT
Design events that increase cultural awareness and appreciation for diversity.
STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE
Provide student voice on school committees and meetings (PTSA, Guidance Advisory Board, Back- to-School Nights, and Open Houses)
STUDENT AIDE
Support instructional program as part of daily schedule
STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE
Provide student voice on MSDE advisory board OR
Provide student voice on MCPS workgroup/taskforce, etc.
This SSL activity MAY be performed during the instructional day. 8

9. Participation with Approved Community Organizations
All SSL must be completed under the supervision of nonprofit, tax-exempt community organizations.
For profit nursing homes, and assisted living facilities are the only exceptions to the nonprofit rule. All SSL activities must directly contact the patients/residents of these facilities. 9

10. All Community SSL Participation Must be Preapproved
Preapproved with MCPS form confirmed in advance by the SSL coordinator.
Listed as Pre Approved on OR
All preapproved SSL activities in the community:
Are secular in nature.
Occur in a public place.
Are supervised by a nonprofit representative.
(not a parent or relative)
Are not compensated financially.
Are not longer than 8 hours in a 24 hour period.
Earn one hour of SSL for one hour of service. 10

11. Three Phases of SSL:
Preparation
2. Action
3. Reflection 11

12. Provides students with the knowledge and skills needed for service.
1. Preparation
Provides students with the knowledge and skills needed for service. 12

13. 2. Action
Direct service provides face-to-face contact with the service recipients. These activities include tutoring young children; serving meals at homeless shelters; working with the elderly in nursing homes.
Indirect Service meets a need with no direct contact. These activities include food & clothing collections and environmental projects.
Advocacy shares viewpoints on issues of interest. These activities include letter writing, public comment, and participating in community activities. 13

14. 3. Reflection Encourages students to rethink:
the need they have addressed.
the service they have performed.
the impact of their service on the community.
what they learned about themselves. 14

15. Every Middle and High School has:
An SSL Coordinator who maintains SSL records on each student.
MCPS SSL forms , (these forms can be downloaded from
SSL publications to share.
System-wide guidelines to follow.
An administrator who handles SSL disputes.
Announcements regarding opportunities and system-wide deadlines for forms. 15

16. Student Responsibilities
Submit MCPS Form , Application for Student Service Learning Special Activity to the SSL coordinator for approval prior to performing service with organizations not listed as pre-approved.
Students submit MCPS Form , Student Service Learning Activity Verification to the SSL coordinator after summer service, and after first and second semester service.
Check SSL status on report card every 9 weeks and report discrepancies to the SSL coordinator immediately. 16

17. MCPS Awards for Exceptional Student Service Learning
The Superintendent’s Student Service Learning Award
Middle school students who complete and document 75 or more hours of service from May 2 to May 1 qualify. Every student who qualifies is awarded a certificate and pin.
Certificate of Meritorious Service
High school seniors who graduate with 260 or more SSL hours receive this award from the Maryland State Department of Education and MCPS. 17

18. The MCPS SSL Program:
supports high quality service-learning experiences for all students.
promotes habits of civic participation, responsibility, and service.
encourages full
participation in
American democratic
life. 18

19. Give a Little Time, Make a Big Difference!