The Alternative Learning Center in Dubuque Iowa encourages high schoolers to do yard work and chores for the disabled and senior citizens. The program only runs the last two weeks of school, and the work involves raking leaves, pulling weeds, cutting grass, and cleaning gutters.
The school is geared towards juniors and senior students who are at risk of dropping out of traditional schools.Tim Hitzler – the teacher behind the credit exchange idea – said he’s already noticing an impact. “The students aren’t typically too excited at the beginning, but once they get involved and start doing the yard work, they become more motivated,” he says. “What they really like is … helping people. They really like giving back to people and meeting the person.”