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Regular Session, 2012
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 9
BY REPRESENTATIVES CARTER, BARROW, WESLEY BI SHOP, BROADWATER,
CARMODY, HENRY, HOLLIS, JEFFERSON, NANCY LANDRY, PRI CE,
SHADOIN, SMITH, AND ALFRED WILLIAMS
BESE: Requests that the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE), in
collaboration with the La. Serve Commission, study the feasibility of establishing a
"distinction for community service" diploma endorsement
A RESOLUTION1
To urge and request the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, in2
collaboration with the Louisiana Serve Commission, to study the feasibility of3
establishing a "distinction for community service" endorsement program for students4
who have performed an exemplary number of community service hours during their5
high school careers and to provide a report to the House Committee on Education by6
February 1, 2013.7
WHEREAS, the Constitution of Louisiana provides that the goal of the public8
educational system is "to provide learning environments and experiences, at all stages of9
human development, that are humane, just, and designed to promote excellence in order that10
every individual may be afforded an equal opportunity to develop to his full potential"; and11
WHEREAS, providing students in high school with civic learning environments in12
high school will afford young people the opportunity to fully develop as civically engaged13
individuals; and14
WHEREAS, civic involvement by young people serves to enhance and make15
communities in Louisiana stronger by developing a sense of civic responsibility and a sense16
that citizenship motivates them to actively participate in their community; and 17
WHEREAS, participation in community service opportunities allows young people18
to develop strong life skills, including communication, critical thinking, problem-solving,19 HLS 12RS-797 ENGROSSED
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decisionmaking, self-awareness, self-esteem, cultural awareness, civic mindedness, and a1
greater appreciation for their community; and2
WHEREAS, one of the values of engaging high school students in community3
service is that they will learn to cooperate with one another and work with a diverse group4
of people, including their peers and adults, with different backgrounds and experiences; and5
WHEREAS, students who achieve excellence in high school deserve recognition for6
their dedication and work; and7
WHEREAS, for the 2010-2011 school year, four thousand eight hundred fifty-three8
Louisiana students (2.74% of students) were appropriately honored and recognized for their9
academic excellence in the form of an academic endorsement on their high school diplomas;10
and11
WHEREAS, for the 2010-2011 school year, one thousand eight hundred ninety-eight12
Louisiana students (1.07 % of students) earned a career/technical endorsement on their high13
school diplomas by completing specified course work and meeting certain requirements; and14
WHEREAS, students in Louisiana deserve to be recognized for their endeavors,15
including those extraordinary efforts made in community service, and such achievements16
could be appropriately recognized through an endorsement on the student's high school17
diploma and notation on the student's transcript; and18
WHEREAS, by providing official acknowledgment on a high school diploma and19
recognition at graduation ceremonies, a "distinction for community service" endorsement20
would provide an additional pathway for students to achieve excellence, and an appropriate21
acknowledgment of such service on the high school transcript would be beneficial to22
students applying to colleges and universities; and23
WHEREAS, youth who volunteer in their communities are most likely to do well in24
school, graduate, vote, and engage in lifelong civic participation as adults; and25
WHEREAS, research has shown that students who engage in service activities26
develop greater connections to their communities, as well as a greater sense of personal and27
social responsibility, and through these experiences they will acquire confident leadership28
skills which help them to better understand the issues facing their communities, including29
how they can make a difference through their involvement; and30 HLS 12RS-797 ENGROSSED
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WHEREAS, opportunities for high school students to perform community service1
should be made available and publicized at each high school in each community to assist2
students in choosing their services; and3
WHEREAS, youth involvement in a community, especially when the youth are given4
an active and meaningful voice, creates a strong foundation not only for their future civic5
engagement, but also contributes to the strength and future of the state as well; and6
WHEREAS, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. clearly and eloquently expressed the value7
of community service, "Everyone can be great, because everyone can serve".8
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the9
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby urge and request the State Board of Elementary and10
Secondary Education, in collaboration with the Louisiana Serve Commission, to study the11
feasibility of establishing and implementing a "distinction for community service"12
endorsement program for students who complete an exemplary number of community13
service hours during their high school careers.14
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that such study shall include but not be limited to the15
following elements:16
(1) A service endorsement program for extraordinary hours of community service17
performed by high school students, accrued from the ninth grade through the twelfth grade,18
in the form of a diploma endorsement, a notation on the student's high school transcript, and19
acknowledgment at high school graduation programs.20
(2) The cost of a seal to be affixed to the diploma.21
(3) Establishment of an endorsement in three levels:22
(a) Gold Level, for documented community service of a minimum of three hundred23
hours during the high school career of a student.24
(b) Silver Level, for documented community service of a minimum of one hundred25
fifty hours during the high school career of a student.26
(c) Bronze Level, for documented community service of a minimum of fifty hours27
during the high school career of a student.28
(4) The method and manner in which community service may be acquired through29
school-sponsored and independent, but verifiable, community service activities.30 HLS 12RS-797 ENGROSSED
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(5) The method and manner in which the hours of community service completed by1
students may be tracked.2
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that should a "distinction for community service"3
endorsement program be developed and implemented, participation shall be voluntary and4
participation shall be at the discretion of the governing authority for each high school under5
the jurisdiction of such authority.6
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the Legislature7
of Louisiana requests the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to submit a8
written report of its findings and recommendations to the House Committee on Education9
by not later than February 1, 2013.10
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the11
president of the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and the state12
superintendent of education.13
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Carter HR No. 9
Requests that the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, in collaboration with
the La. Serve Commission, study the feasibility of establishing a "distinction for community
service" endorsement program, including an endorsement on the diploma and notation on
the high school transcript, for students who have performed an exemplary number of
community service hours during their high school careers and submit a report, including
findings and recommendations, to the House Committee on Education by Feb. 1, 2013.