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<p>I am the Social Studies Dept. Chair at my school. In our system, the responsibility for the community service requirement has been placed within the realm of Social Studies classes. I am not opposed to the principal of community service. I am opposed to it being mandatory. As I stated before mandatory volunteerism is an oxymoron. Within the same course where the community service requirement is expected to be met is also the responsibility for a state mandated assessment that is a graduation requirement. </p>
<p>In addition, I have great issues with the primary responsibility for this is with the schools as opposed to the student themselves and the parents. Believe what you will, it is schools, teachers, and guidance counselors who wind up bearing a major portion of the burden for this requirement. I think we could accomplish the same goals by providing students with opportunities to be of service to the community and by modeling that for them. </p>
<p>In short I guess I somewhat resent the fact that more and more is being placed on the plate of schools and teachers and nothing is being taken off that plate.</p>