Clinton Introduces Legislation to Expand AmeriCorps Program

Press Release

Clinton Introduces Legislation to Expand AmeriCorps Program

Pilot Programs Would Promote College Enrollment and Community Service Among High School Seniors

Coinciding with AmeriCorps Week, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton introduced two pieces of legislation that would create two new pilot programs within AmeriCorps aimed at increasing college enrollment and community service among high school seniors. The Coaching our Adolescents for College Heights (COACH) Act would recruit, train and place recent college graduates in high schools to increase the number of low- and middle-income, high-achieving high school students who enroll in college. The Senior Year Community Service Act would promote community service among high school seniors by connecting them with service opportunities within their schools and communities.

"All students should have the chance to go to college, regardless of their socio-economic situation, and the right guidance and resources can help put high-achieving students on the path toward college," said Senator Clinton. "We must also encourage our college-bound students to engage in community service. Community service leads to better academic performance and attendance, and by promoting service we can make active community participation part of the educational experience for young Americans. AmeriCorps can bring these resources into our high schools, help students attain their goals and become active participants in their communities.

The COACH pilot program would contract a nonprofit organization to plan and implement a seven-year program to recruit, train and place 100 coaches in five high-need local educational agencies. The coaches would work with school staff to build a strong college-going culture within the school; they would provide guidance, assist with the college application and financial aid processes, provide students with appropriate enrichment and service opportunities, as well as monitor academic performance and social adjustment during students' first years at college.

According to Cynthia Rivera Weissblum, president and CEO of the Edwin Gould Foundation for Children, "The COACH Bill addresses a critical need in our country--replacing the shortfall of more than 10 million college educated workers retiring over the next five years. Currently, 1.5 million high school students from low-and middle-income families in the U.S. qualify for, but never graduate from college. This loss of talent reduces economic mobility at home and threatens our competitiveness globally. The introduction of the COACH Bill lays the groundwork for capturing this lost talent pool and restoring America's strength."

The Senior Year Community Service Act would promote service among high school seniors. Under the pilot program, the Secretary of Education would provide grants to at least six educational agencies, which would use funds to establish partnerships with community based organizations, provide a service coordinator to assist participating high schools, and provide information regarding service opportunities to students in their junior years. The Corporation of National and Community Service would assist local agencies and students in finding service opportunities, and the Department of Education would be responsible for evaluating the program for impact on student achievement.

Senator Clinton has worked tirelessly in support of public service. She has fought to preserve funding for AmeriCorps. Senator Clinton, along with Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA), led the successful effort to rename the AmeriCorps education award the "Segal AmeriCorps Education Award," in honor of AmeriCorps founder, Eli Segal, who served as the first director of the Corporation for National Service. She has also introduced legislation to create a United States Public Service Academy to build a corps of civic leaders.

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