IV 
111TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. RES. 769 
Recognizing the benefits of service-learning as a teaching strategy to effec-
tively engage youth in the community and classroom, and expressing 
support for the goals of the National Learn and Serve Challenge. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
SEPTEMBER 23, 2009 
Mr. PLATTS (for himself, Ms. MATSUI, Mr. EHLERS, Mr. PRICE of North 
Carolina, and Mr. KENNEDY) submitted the following resolution; which 
was referred to the Committee on Education and Labor 
RESOLUTION 
Recognizing the benefits of service-learning as a teaching 
strategy to effectively engage youth in the community 
and classroom, and expressing support for the goals of 
the National Learn and Serve Challenge. 
Whereas service-learning is a teaching method that enhances 
academic learning by integrating classroom content with 
relevant activities aimed at addressing identified commu-
nity or school needs; 
Whereas service-learning has been used both in school and 
community-based settings as a teaching strategy to en-
hance learning by building on youth experiences, granting 
youth a voice in learning, and making instructional goals 
and objectives more relevant to youth; 
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•HRES 769 IH 
Whereas service-learning has been identified as an effective 
tool in addressing the Nation’s dropout epidemic by mak-
ing education more hands-on and relevant, and has been 
especially effective in addressing the epidemic with re-
spect to disadvantaged youth; 
Whereas service-learning is proven to provide the greatest 
benefits to disadvantaged and at-risk youth by building 
self-confidence, which often translates into overall aca-
demic and personal success; 
Whereas service-learning provides not only meaningful experi-
ences, but a greater quantity and quality of interactions 
between youth and potential mentors in the community; 
Whereas service-learning simultaneously empowers youth as 
actively engaged learners, citizens, and contributors to 
the community; 
Whereas youth engaged in service-learning provide critical 
service to the community by addressing a variety of needs 
in towns, cities, and States, including needs such as tu-
toring young children, elderly care, community nutrition, 
disaster relief, environmental stewardship, financial edu-
cation, public safety, and a host of other needs; 
Whereas far reaching and diverse research base shows that 
service-learning enhances the academic, career, cognitive, 
and civic development of kindergarten through 12th- 
grade students, and of higher education students; 
Whereas service-learning strengthens and increases the num-
ber of partnerships among institutions of higher edu-
cation, local schools, and communities, which strengthens 
communities and improves academic learning; 
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•HRES 769 IH 
Whereas service-learning programs unleash a multitude of 
skilled and enthusiastic college students to serve in the 
communities surrounding their colleges; 
Whereas service-learning programs engage students in ac-
tively addressing and solving pressing community issues 
and are strengthening the ability of nonprofit organiza-
tions to meet community needs; 
Whereas Learn and Serve America, a program established 
under subtitle B of title I of the National and Commu-
nity Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12521 et seq.), is 
the only federally funded program dedicated to service- 
learning and engages over 1,100,000 youth in service- 
learning annually; 
Whereas Learn and Serve America is a highly cost-effective 
program, averaging approximately $25 per participant 
and leveraging $1 for every Federal dollar invested; and 
Whereas the National Learn and Serve Challenge is an an-
nual event that is taking place this year from October 5 
through October 11, 2009, that spotlights the value of 
service-learning to young people as well as schools, col-
lege campuses, and communities, encourages others to 
launch service-learning activities, and increases recogni-
tion of Learn and Serve America: Now, therefore, be it: 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) recognizes the benefits of service-learning 
in— 
(A) enriching and enhancing academic out-
comes for youth; 
(B) engaging youth in positive experiences 
in the community; and 
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•HRES 769 IH 
(C) encouraging youth to make more con-
structive choices with regards to their lives; 
(2) encourages schools, school districts, college 
campuses, community-based organizations, non-
profits, and faith-based organizations to work to-
wards providing youth with more service-learning op-
portunities; and 
(3) expresses support for the goals of the Na-
tional Learn and Serve Challenge. 
Æ 
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