A few years ago i did a web search on "service learning"
and did not find much. Now, the idea has grown and
several universities have web sites. Its has even
appeared in a local community garden that references
this web site:
www.growinggardens.org
Another good site is:
www.nicsl.coled.umn.edu
one of the oldest links is at:
http://csf.colorado.edu
Here is a long article service learning:
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SURVEY SHOWS COMMUNITY SERVICE, SERVICE LEARNING ON THE RISE
A new survey shows that many public schools are encouraging
students to perform community service and that much of this
service is integrated into the curriculum, a practice known
as service-learning.
According to the survey, approximately one-third of public
schools use service-learning as part of the curriculum and
nearly two-thirds have students involved in community service
that is recognized or arranged by the school. Furthermore,
the study finds that community service and service-learning
are now rooted in public education at all grade levels.
"Schools are teaching students to become better citizens by
helping their fellow citizens," said U.S. Secretary of
Education Richard W. Riley, "and making their community
service even more relevant by linking it to what they learn
in school. This is a good recipe for connecting education to
life experiences. The increase in these activities is a good
sign for our schools, our communities and our nation."
Riley added that he is encouraged by the complementary work
of the Corporation for National Service, which is ensuring
that students pursue quality in their community service
experiences and that schools find innovative and effective
ways to incorporate community service activities into their
curricula.
"The survey confirms what we've been hearing from educators -
that service learning makes a tremendous impact on students
and their communities," said Harris Wofford, CEO of the
corporation. "Students develop solid citizenship skills by
participating in projects to make their communities better
places to live."
Wofford will highlight findings from the report today in
Philadelphia, along with James Kohlmoos, deputy assistant
education secretary, and David Hornbeck, Philadelphia's
superintendent of schools. During the event, students at
Simon Gratz High School will demonstrate the impact that
service-learning has had on their education.
Service-Learning and Community Service in K-12 Public
Schools, released by the Education Department's National
Center for Education Statistics, is the first study to
provide reliable national estimates of the percentage of
public K-12 schools incorporating service-learning into their
course curriculum, as well as providing the most recent data
on school engagement in community service. Highlights from
the survey include:
Sixty-four percent of all public schools, including 83
percent of public high schools, had students participating in
community service activities recognized by or arranged
through the school;
Fifty-seven percent of all public schools organized community
service activities for their students;
Thirty-two percent of all schools organized service-learning
as part of their curriculum, including nearly half of all
high schools;
Most schools with service-learning cited strengthening
relationships among students, the school and the community as
key reasons for practicing service-learning; and
Eighty-three percent of schools with service-learning offered
some type of support to teachers integrating service-learning
into the curriculum.
The survey also provides reliable national estimates on
sources of funding to support community service and
service-learning, school policies making participation in
service-learning voluntary or mandatory, and how schools are
implementing service-learning.
Future analysis of the survey data could provide estimates of
the subject matter being taught with service-learning, and
the role of students in selecting and evaluating
service-learning projects.
The survey was sent to 2000 schools: 200 elementary schools,
500 middle schools, and 1,300 secondary/combined schools;
1,832 schools completed the survey. Full text of
Service-Learning and Community Service in K-12 Public Schools
can be downloaded from the NCES web site by going to
http://nces.ed.gov/pubsearch, and searching on the title of
the publication. In early November, copies can be ordered by
calling 1-877-4ED-PUBS (1-877-433-7827), TTY/TDD
1-877-576-7734; e-mail at [EMAIL PROTECTED]; Internet at
www.ed.gov/pubs/edpubs.html. ###
jeff
