In the present, AmeriCorps—the national service program that sends thousands of people in school and community-based projects each year—is facing a difficult issue that could shake the structure of education in local communities and non-profit organizations across the country. Legal victories have secured the group's funding in the present but ongoing political disputes ensure that the future is uncertain. For parents, teachers and anyone else who believes in a community-driven approach to learning there's never been a time when the stakes were greater. Curious? The impact of what's to come could be a surprise to you.
What Is AmeriCorps and Why Does It Matter?
AmeriCorps is an organization across the country that connects tens of thousands individuals—mostly recently graduated from college or taking an unpaid gap year—to jobs in youth centers, schools and local non-profits. Each year, more than 200k members work in roles that are educational, such as reading coaches mentors and after-school program coordinators. For many schools, particularly in neighborhoods with limited resources, AmeriCorps volunteers provide crucial assistance that budgets of many schools are unable to pay for. Without them local students and community learning could suffer.
Legal Wins Can't End All Uncertainty
If Congress threatened to drastically cut AmeriCorps funding by 2024, a number of states and non-profit organizations fought the plan in the courts. So far judges have ruled the program is still in place, at least for the time being. However, this is only temporary solution. Congress is still in charge of the budget and the annual budget is in progress. Should lawmakers choose to cut their budgets again more than 200,000 positions in national service in health, education as well as disaster relief could go away. That could be heard throughout the country, particularly in schools that rely on AmeriCorps assistance.
Based on the National Service Reports, communities that have AmeriCorps volunteers report greater student engagement and higher rates of graduation, especially in districts with high need.
The Impact of Service Cuts on Education
If AmeriCorps is cut in size students, teachers and families will be affected in a variety of ways:
- Less math and reading tutors available in middle and elementary schools.
- Support is less for programs after school as well as summer learning camps
- A decline in health and wellness programs.
- Community engagement projects have been cut in the neighborhoods
Local quit rates could rise as schools are unable to manage enrichment programs. This could make the job of teaching seem even more difficult, and for some, even impossible.
Behind the Numbers: Who's at Risk?
National data show that nearly 1 of 4 AmeriCorps posts directly support education which includes roles in the classroom as well as college preparation. The loss of these positions could result in as much as 65,000 less people working in schools this year. A large portion of these employees come from communities that they serve, providing an individualized and relevant tutoring and mentoring program. Budget cuts will not only impact employment, but also the quality of services that families and students depend on each day.
Why the National Service Model Still Matters
Despite the ongoing battle over funding however, even in the face of funding disputes, the nationwide service model wherein citizens face local problems through coordinated effort remains an effective method of strengthening social and school systems. Studies over time suggest that AmeriCorps provides the 10-to-1 return on investment for each dollar invested in community impact, education improvements and job creation locally. As debates over funding continue many organizations and educators have warned that shifting burden towards local communities can exacerbate the educational gap, particularly in urban and rural areas that are already struggling with teacher shortages.
The situation has many wondering, what happens to local education programs when AmeriCorps disappears? It's a question that's being raised in school meetings and neighborhood centers everywhere we go.
In examining the whole thing, I see the importance of AmeriCorps indisputable. I have witnessed the way AmeriCorps teams improve reading levels and provide after-school activities to children who otherwise might fall between the lines I believe that this work has a positive impact on not only students, but also communities. Strategies to educational funding as well as community involvement aren't simple but the stakes will make us aware of why these programs are so important.
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