Superintendent of Schools SUBJECT: THE VALUE OF SERVICE LEARNING HOURS TO THE BROWARD COUNTY COMMUNITY

By the end of the 2002-03 school year, high school students enrolled in Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) during that year had performed a total of 3,327,714 service learning hours. While students were not compensated for these volunteer hours, the monetary value of the services would be $17,137,727.10 at the Federal minimum wage rate of $5.15 per hour. The Senior Class of 2002-03 provided 1,664,669 of those service learning hours, which, at the minimum wage rate, represented a value of $8,573,045.35 to Broward County. The service learning hour graduation requirement is important to the development of BCPS students. The service learning requirement was implemented to “build an awareness of society and a connection between classroom and real world issues, ” teach “a commitment to addressing needs in the community, ” and provide “the opportunity to develop a long lasting sense of responsibility to society ” (SBBC Policy, 2003). Any questions regarding this Research Brief should be directed to me at (954) 760-7342 or Dr. Cary Sutton, Director, Research Services, at (954) 765-6750