Smart Character Choices will provide assistance in coordinating community-based service learning opportunities to teachers and students and engage them in selecting individual and classroom projects for participation.  They will also support student reflection and the documentation of their personal experience and lessons learned from community-based service learning activities.

In 2000, the National Study Group on Citizenship in K-12 Schools—a panel of teachers, university scholars, and representatives of civic education organizations brought together by the Education Commission of the States (www.ecs.org)—issued Every Student a Citizen:  Creating the Democratic Self. It laid down this challenge:

Young Americans need an invitation to something better and higher. The purpose of school is not merely to provide the next generation with the tools they need to make a living, but also to help them discover the personal and collective means—the perspectives, strength of character, and values—they will need to sustain our civilization. Young people need help in moving toward a higher regard for democratic institutions and a greater willingness to be involved in them.^[1]

Through participating in service learning students build character as they work with others in their school and community.  Students not only learn about democracy and citizenship, they become actively contributing citizens and community members.

The following link provides an excellent description of service learning.