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Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) believes that service learning addresses recognized community needs and is connected to curriculum goals. All indirect, direct, and advocacy action include the phases of preparation, action, and reflection. Quality service learning provides the student with knowledge, skills, attitudes, and career exploration opportunities that lead to effective citizenship in an increasingly diverse and interconnected world. MCPS is committed to quality service-learning experiences for all students.
- Students may begin to earn SSL hours the summer after completing Grade 5. They continue to accrue hours through middle and high school.
- Beginning with the Class of 2011 MCPS students will complete 75 service-learning hours for graduation. Students who enter MCPS for the first time in
| Grade 6 will complete | | 75 hours for graduation. |
| Grade 7 will complete | | 65hours for graduation. |
| Grade 8 will complete | | 55hours for graduation. |
| Grade 9 will complete | | 45 hours for graduation. |
| Grade 10 will complete | | 35 hours for graduation. |
| Grade 11 will complete | | 20 hours for graduation. |
| Grade 12 will complete | | 10 hours for graduation. |
- Students complete the service-learning requirement through
- full participation in the SSL aspects and successful completion of specific middle school and high school courses. (Grade 6 science, Grade 7 English, and Grade 8 Social Studies, National, State and Local Government, and specific high school electives identified in the MCPS Course Bulletin),
- full participation in service activities promoted by school-sponsored clubs and organizations, and community opportunities and organizations preapproved for SSL
- full participation in opportunities and organizations preapproved for SSL
- Organizations and opportunities tagged as MCPS SSL approved are found at the MCPS website www.mcpsssl.org. Organizations on this list have attended an orientation and provided information to the Montgomery County Public Schools and the Montgomery County Volunteer Center about their organization and service-learning opportunities.
- Organizations that have the tag, "Approved SSL MCPS" have provided basic information about their agency. For further information about what it means to be "Approved SSL MCPS" please see the Frequently Asked Question "What does it mean to say an organization and volunteer opportunity are ‘Approved’ for Student Service Learning by Montgomery County Public Schools?".
- Students interested in earning service-learning hours with organizations that are not tagged MCPS approved must submit MCPS Form 560-50, Request for SSL Pre approval to the school-based SSL coordinator in advance of any service.
- All service learning must be performed with a nonprofit tax exempt organization.
- Assisted-living facilities and nursing homes are the only exception to the nonprofit rule. Students interested in earning service-learning hours at these facilities must first submit MCPS Form 560-50, Request for SSL Pre approval in advance of the service.
- One service-learning hour is awarded for every hour of service outside of the instructional day. A maximum of 8 hours may be earned in a 24-hour period.
- All service-learning activities must be secular in nature, occur in a public place and be supervised by a nonprofit organization representative. Parents or relatives cannot serve as supervisors for their child or relative.
- Hours served with nonprofit organizations prior to enrollment in MCPS in middle or high school must be submitted on official letterhead for inclusion in MCPS records.
- MCPS Form 560-50, Request for SSL Pre approval must be submitted in advance of any service with an individual running for public office.
- All service-learning must be documented on MCPS Form 560-51, Student Service Learning Activity Verification. All documentation must be turned in to the SSL coordinator according to timelines (by the last Friday in September, the Friday before first semester exams begin, and the Friday before second semester exams begin).
- Appeals of SSL decisions may be made in writing to the school administrator.
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- MCPS SSL information is provided via SSL coordinators in all middle and high schools.
- www.mcpsssl.org
- MCPS Quick Notes
- School Newsletters
- Schools meetings
- Local list serves
- Publications: Student Service Learning: A Maryland Graduation Requirement Information for Parents and Students
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