Do you think high school students should be required to serve one year of community service - Essay Example

Teacher’s May 4, Required Community Service in High school High schools all across the nation have begun requiring a certain number hours of community service for each student. It is normally a requirement for graduation. Some parents and students have felt it is intrusive or too forceful of the school to require this. I, like many others feel students should be required to complete community service. I feel it is beneficial for everyone involved. I believe students who participate in community service will perform better in school, have a better work ethic and help the community as a whole.

I feel students who volunteer may perform better in school. Looking at statistics I found that students who were required to do volunteer work in high school were twenty-two percent more likely to finish college. Twenty-two may seem a small number, but when it comes to being able to complete college I think it matters greatly. The same study also found these same students were able to improve their grades in several academic areas, such as reading, science and math. Being able to perform well in school is very important as it can affect a person’s future career (CIRCLE).

The second reason I feel community service in high school is important is because it will bring about a good work ethic for students. Some students have part time jobs during school, while others do not. I would think it could give a student a sense of accomplishment. The student would be able to see firsthand what it is like to work and help others. Students would not be paid for their work, but it would help them appreciate payment all the more when they do someday have a job. I think it would be good if the schools would give students a wide range of choices regarding where they would volunteer.

Students who are considering what careers they are interested in may have the opportunity to volunteer at a place that may be in relation to their career aspirations. Lastly, I would like to point out how required community service in high school may help the entire community. According to a 2006 survey thirty-six percent of people ages 15-25 had been volunteering throughout that year. The survey did not specify whether or not any of the people were required to do community service. So the number may even get higher if more schools required community service.

Volunteers in the community help make it more efficient as a whole. If more young people get can get involved in volunteer work the better it will be for the community (CIRCLE). In conclusion, I truly believe there are many benefits of requiring high school students to complete a year of community service. I certainly cannot see where any harm would come from it. It may build better communities and encourage students to become volunteers in the future. It can give young people a sense of confidence so they can feel they can make a difference in their world.

This requirement would benefit not only the community, but the students themselves. Work Cited "CIRCLE » Volunteering/Community Service." CIRCLE. Web. 03 May 2011. .