The Chicago Public Schools (CPS) has a service learning graduation requirement for all high school students. Students must complete 20 hours of service in order to be promoted to junior status and 40 hours in order to graduate. CPS defines service learning as a teaching strategy that connects classroom curriculum with service projects.

The Service Learning Initiative of the Office of Teaching and Learning expects that all high school students will participate in quality service learning projects that are integrated with classroom learning. Each service learning experience will have a preparation, action and reflection component. The goal is to provide every student with two-to-three structured service learning project experiences that are connected to classroom curriculum resulting in academic achievement, social/emotional development and civic preparation.

The initiative operates intensively in 15 high schools to strategically build service learning opportunities into classroom instruction. Each school works with teachers and administrators to place these opportunities strategically across curriculum and grade levels to enable all students to participate in high quality, curriculum-integrated service projects.

The initiative provides multiple opportunities for professional development. Additionally, ten teachers trained as professional development providers conduct annual “Service Learning 101” workshops in each of the six high school regions.

The initiative uses curriculum to help teachers plan lessons and activities for student service projects. CPS has developed 25 field-tested projects in seven content areas that enable teachers to tie service to learning. These resources enable teachers to make links to state learning standards across multiple content areas, connect with community partners, brainstorm potential projects and introduce students to social issues.

The Service Learning Initiative networks with hundreds of community partners to generate project opportunities for students, project partners for teachers, and quality links between classroom learning and real world experiences. Community partners provide a range of opportunities from individualized service opportunities to classroom-based projects with curricular resources and support.

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