POLICY

Learning In Deed identified and promoted large-scale, long-term changes in the education system to support high quality service-learning practice and outcomes. An important aspect of the education system is the policy context within which schools operate. Policies establish the principles, values, and ideals which influence an organization's actions, providing the basis for resource allocation. Policies may provide:

• requirements
• permission
• encouragement, or
• prohibition.

For example:

• A state or district may require schools to offer service-learning to students.
• A federal program may permit its funds to be used for service-learning.
• A local school board may encourage the use of service-learning by giving course credit.
• A local school board may prohibit students from leaving school grounds.

Policies are made by different groups of decision makers at each level of government.

• Statutes or laws are enacted by elected officials, e.g. the Senate.
• Regulations are established within programs or administrative units, e.g. the state department of education.
• Administrative actions and procedures are written by state or local administrators to specify what may or may not be done.

It is important to know where a policy was made in order to know who can change it. Knowing that there are different levels of decision making and types of policy allows advocates options for seeking policy support.

For more information on service-learning policy, visit the National Service-Learning Partnership at www.service-learningpartnership.org.

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