Demonstration That School-Based Required Service Does Not Deter, But Heightens, Volunteerism, (A)

Part of a special section on developmental perspectives on civic education. A study was conducted to examine participation in school-based community service as a potential facilitator of civic engagement. Data were drawn from an analysis of three grade 11 and 12 cohorts from the graduating classes of 2000, 2001, and 2002 in a middle-class suburban town outside of Boston, Massachusetts. Findings revealed that students who were inclined to participate in community service voluntarily were likely to be female, have parents who had volunteered, were more religious, belonged to school organizations, and had good grade point averages.