Les Lenkowsky, an old friend of National Review (and of the Ledeens), and who knows whereof he speaks, gives us some data:
I doubt that even the bulk of urban high schools have a volunteering requirement. The only data on college-bound seniors comes from a UCLA survey of students in their freshmen years at selective colleges. Yes, 90 percent + say they volunteer (though on average, they don’t volunteer very much, maybe an hour or so per week). But those colleges are a very small fraction of all colleges and universities, even less of enrolled students. So, the notion that young people are volunteering a lot is an “urban myth.” The CPS data is much more indicative; young people volunteer about as much as elderly people (and can’t claim the infirmities of old age as an excuse).
I’ve received lots of thoughtful emails on this subject, for which I’m most grateful. And here’s a thought: do you think Obama will give “credit” for community service to those who volunteer for the armed forces? And if so, will he withhold federal funds from schools that forbid ROTC on campus?