The term “service-learning” was defined in Federal Legislation for the first time in the National and Community Service Act of 1990 (As amended through December 17, 1999, P.L. 106-170; Section 101 (23)) and reauthorized through the Edward M. Kennedy Service America Act of 2009. It is defined as follows:

The term "service-learning" means a method

1. under which students or participants learn and develop through active participation in thoughtfully organized service that
   1. is conducted in and meets the needs of a community;
   2. is coordinated with an elementary school, secondary school, institution of higher education, or community service program, and with the community; and
   3. helps foster civic responsibility; and
2. that
   1. is integrated into and enhances the academic curriculum of the students, or the educational components of the community service program in which the participants are enrolled; and
   2. provides structured time for the students or participants to reflect on the service experience.

The Serve America Act of 2009 extends the purpose of service-learning to 
“expand and strengthen service-learning programs through year-round opportunities, including opportunities during the summer months, to improve the education of children and youth and to maximize the benefits of national and community service, in order to renew the ethic of civic responsibility and the spirit of community for children and youth throughout the United States” (p. 6).

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