Earning SSL Hours During an Election Year
During election years there are numerous opportunities for students to become involved in the political process and simultaneously earn service-learning hours.
- The SSL guidelines state that any student interested in earning SSL hours for participation in campaigns of any candidate running for public office must first submit MCPS Form 560-50, Request for SSL Preapproval and have it granted by the school SSL coordinator in advance of any student service.
- With an approved MCPS Form 560-50 SSL hours may be earned in a variety of activities that occur in public places under direct supervision of adults campaign officials (no student relatives).
- SSL hours may not be earned for any neighborhood canvassing involving door-to-door activity , telephoning requesting financial donations, or any service performed in other than a public place.
- All hours must be documented using MCPS Form 560-51, Student Service Learning Activity Verification.
- Students interested in providing “Polling Place Coverage” with The Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee may do so with no MCPS Form 560-50 required in advance. The organization and this one opportunity are identified as MCPS SSL approved on the database.
- (The Republican Party has not responded to requests to update their information since 2009 so they are no longer showing as registered with the MCVC or approved for MCPS SSL.)
- (The Montgomery County Board of Elections has all the students they need for the Primary Election….so no opportunities are posted as MCPS SSL approved with them currently. Opportunities may be posted with MCPS SSL approval after the Primary Election.)