CHAPTER 14. COMMUNITY OR VOLUNTEER SERVICE PROGRAM
IC 20-30-14
Chapter 14. Community or Volunteer Service Program
IC 20-30-14-1
Development of community service ethic
Sec. 1. Each school corporation may encourage the development
of a community service ethic among high school students in grade 11
or 12 in the school corporation by offering each grade 11 or 12
student:
(1) as part of the corporation's elective curriculum;
(2) in compliance with rules adopted by the state board under
section 9 of this chapter; and
(3) upon completion by the student of approved community
service or other volunteer service;
the opportunity for the student to earn academic credit toward the
student's minimum graduation requirements.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.14.
IC 20-30-14-2
Application for academic credit for community or volunteer
service
Sec. 2. For each student who wishes to earn academic credit for
community service or volunteer service under this chapter, the
student, a teacher of the student, or a community or volunteer service
organization must submit an application that includes the following
information to the principal or the principal's designee of the high
school in which the student is enrolled:
(1) The name of the community service organization or
volunteer service organization the student intends to assist.
(2) The name, address, and telephone number of the director or
the supervisor of the community service organization or
volunteer service organization and, if different from the director
or supervisor, the name, address, and telephone number of the
individual assigned by the community or volunteer service
organization to supervise the student at the activity site.
(3) The nature of the community service or volunteer service
performed by the student with a certification that the service
performed by the student is voluntary.
(4) The total number of hours the student intends to serve the
community service organization or volunteer service
organization during the school year.
(5) A written statement by the director or the supervisor of the
community service organization or volunteer service
organization certifying that the information included in the
application is an accurate reflection of:
(A) the student's expectations with regard to the number of
hours of service contemplated to be performed; and
(B) the community service organization's or the volunteer
service organization's need to acquire the student's service.
(6) A description of:
(A) the educational or career exploration benefits the student
and the school should expect to gain from the student's
community or volunteer service participation; and
(B) the service and benefit the community or volunteer
service organization expects to gain from the student's
participation.
(7) A description of how the community or volunteer service
activity relates to a course in which the student is enrolled or
intends to enroll.
(8) The manner and frequency in which the student and the
community or volunteer service activity will be evaluated.
(9) The name of the certificated school employee who will be
responsible for monitoring and evaluating the student's activity
and performance, including assigning to the student a grade for
participation under this section.
(10) Any other information required by the principal.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.14.
IC 20-30-14-3
Application deadline
Sec. 3. For each school year in which a student wishes to earn
academic credit under this chapter, the student must submit the
application to participate under this chapter before November 1 of
the school year. The principal may waive this application deadline if
the principal determines that:
(1) the student was unable to meet the application deadline due
to extraordinary circumstances; and
(2) the student will reasonably be able to accrue before
graduation at least the minimum number of hours of service
required to acquire at least one (1) academic credit toward the
student's graduation requirements.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.14.
IC 20-30-14-4
Eligibility determination
Sec. 4. Upon receipt of the application, the principal or the
principal's designee shall determine whether the student is eligible to
receive academic credit under this section based on the guidelines
established by the department under section 8 of this chapter and
rules adopted by the state board under section 9 of this chapter.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.14.
IC 20-30-14-5
Notification of eligibility determination; periodic progress reports
Sec. 5. The principal or the principal's designee shall notify the
student and the director or the sponsor of the community service
organization or the volunteer service organization of the
determination made under section 4 of this chapter. If the student's
application is approved, the director or sponsor of the community
service organization or the volunteer service organization shall
periodically report to the principal or the principal's designee on the
student's fulfillment of the expectations included in the application.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.14.
IC 20-30-14-6
Certification of service hours contributed
Sec. 6. Upon the completion of the school year, the principal or
the principal's designee shall request the director or the sponsor of
the community service organization or the volunteer service
organization to submit a report on the student's service during the
school year that certifies the total number of hours of service
contributed by the student.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.14.
IC 20-30-14-7
Award of academic credit
Sec. 7. If the student's total number of hours of service is at least
equal to the minimum number of hours required to earn academic
credit for community service or volunteer service as set forth in rules
adopted by the state board, the student shall receive the amount of
academic credit available under the state board's rules for the service
toward the student's graduation requirements.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.14.
IC 20-30-14-8
Guidelines
Sec. 8. The department shall develop guidelines necessary to
implement this section, including guidelines to assist principals or
designees in determining whether a particular community service
organization or volunteer service organization qualifies as an entity
in which a student's volunteer service translates into academic credit
under this section.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.14.
IC 20-30-14-9
Rules
Sec. 9. The state board shall adopt rules under IC 4-22-2
necessary to implement this section, including rules stipulating the
following:
(1) The types of community service organizations or volunteer
service organizations that qualify as entities described in section
8 of this chapter.
(2) The types of community services or volunteer services
performed by a student that qualify for approval under this
chapter.
(3) That the student must perform at least forty-eight (48) hours
of service to earn one (1) academic credit.
(4) That not more than two (2) academic credits toward
graduation are available to a student under this chapter.
(5) That the exploitation or endangerment of students
participating under this chapter is prohibited.
(6) That each school corporation and community service
organization or volunteer service organization participating
under this chapter shall monitor student activity under this
chapter and compile periodic reports from students and other
individuals to ensure:
(A) student health and safety, including assurances that
students are not expected to perform duties that are
prohibited by law or rule for which students are inadequately
prepared or supervised;
(B) an educational benefit to the student is being derived by
the student; and
(C) compliance with appropriate statutes and rules.
(7) The minimum acceptable level of certificated school
employee staffing required to adequately implement, monitor,
and evaluate the program under this chapter.
(8) The method for demonstrating and enforcing the assurances
described under subdivision (6).
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.14.