I think it's a good idea. If they were given a range of things to choose from, including environmental projects, I think a lot of young adults would love to be involved.

Forcing students into community service really is unfair. It does not show that they are doing something they care about, it is merely showing that they begrudgingly followed the school system like depressed sheep, because they have the sense to realize that they need a diploma. Instead, community service should give caring people a benefit for college...maybe they should get scholarships for doing enough?

While I agree with it for the most part, and think it's a great way to benefit the community and teach teens responsibility and compassion for others, I also don't think that schools should require hundreds of hours of community service for graduation.

yes that will definitely benefit the society

Yes. So we will learn to help the community.

Thanks, Esther, and I agree with the points you make, too. It occurs to me now that perhaps schools could offer a Community Service elective course, where students could get course credit for a class whose sole purpose is to organize and develop community service projects, if they choose to take the course. Perhaps some school already offer a course like that, I don't know. Encouraging students to do community service is great, but because of the individual situations in students' lives it should not be a requirement. In FL we have a program where students are rewarded for community service with college scholarship programs.

Sarah, you made some good points. I also worry about children who have a lot of problems and need help themselves being forced to do community service. It may be difficult or impossible for them to do so and that could prevent them from graduating. I also repeat I was a Girl Scout leader and had them make Easter Baskets for kids who were in some kind of government home because their parents could not care for them for various reasons. They did something nice for others and also realized that other children were not as lucky as they were. I just don't like the idea of forcing children to do community service because all situations are not the same.

I should add that making it a requirement, something students will see as a chore, will discourage them from doing community service later in their lives. Community service should come from the heart. People will work harder at their community service if it is something they are truly passionate about and can do with a loving heart. It can become a habit and not a requirement done once in someone's life.

Students have enough work to do. Better if they have any free time at all for them to get paying jobs. Community service should be done, but not as a requirement. Better that more adults start incorporating it into their lives (and encouraging their families to do it as well) so that society as a whole can do it and not force it upon one segment of the population.

Never really thought about it, but it seems like a good idea. Might actually help the kids get some useful experiences and help somebody out.