As used in this act:

1. “Youth community service program” means a program established by a school district as part of the curriculum for secondary students which includes youth community service activities integrated with study and reflection on the experiences gained through youth community service activities; and

2. “Youth community service activities” means volunteer activities performed by secondary school students through a youth community service program that meet the needs of others in the school or community and are designed to enhance the student’s personal growth, career exploration, understanding of community and citizenship, social science skills, and communication skills.

School districts may establish as part of the curriculum a youth community service program for secondary students which includes youth community service activities integrated with study and reflection on the experiences gained through youth community service activities. A student may receive elective credit for participating in a youth community service program as long as the outcomes of the program reflect the competencies outlined in the Oklahoma Learner Outcomes adopted by the State Board of Education. A student may perform youth community service activities for educational credit only under the sponsorship of an organization approved by the State Department of Education. Youth community service activities shall not be used to displace any employees or reduce the number of hours for which any employee is paid.

The State Board of Education may assist school districts with the development of youth community service programs by:

1. Establishing and maintaining a list of acceptable projects with a description of each project, and providing for projects to be placed on the list upon proper application by the local district and evaluation by the State Department of Education;

2. Verifying that community sponsors have filed assurances with the Department of Education that youth community services students are not displacing employees or reducing the hours for which any employee is paid;

3. Assisting school districts in publicizing the youth community service program and in determining whether there is sufficient interest in the district to warrant a youth community service program;

4. Monitoring districts to assure that youth community service programs are established in districts where interest warrants;

5. Evaluating local youth community service programs;

6. Developing in-service training components to be used by local districts for preparation of youth community service program faculty sponsors;

7. Assisting local districts in applying for grants from private or governmental sources for youth community service programs; and

8. For the purpose of implementing this act the State Board of Education shall utilize only grants from private and governmental sources.

The State Board of Education is authorized to apply for federal funds for the purpose of establishing a program through which local school districts may apply for grants to fund local youth community service programs.

Rubric recommends fostering prosocial behavior by engaging students in activities such as service learning.