SLCC 2007 Presentation from Learn & Serve America

• 1. Learn and Serve BRING LEARNING TO LIFE! America

2.

• Established in 1993 to engage Americans of all ages and backgrounds in community service

• AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, and Learn and Serve America

Learn and ServeAmerica 3. Our Goal

• To make service learning and civic engagement a standard feature of American education, both formal and informal

Learn and ServeAmerica 4. Learn and Serve America

• funds programs in K-12 schools, community-based organizations, and institutions of higher education that engage participants in structured, hands-on projects that meet community needs while helping participants develop personal, civic, and academic skills .

Learn and Serve America 5. Learn and Serve America 6. The Definition ofService-Learning

• Participants learn and develop throughactive participationin thoughtfully organized service that is conducted in andmeets the needs of a community

• coordinated withan elementary school, secondary school, institution of higher education, or community service program, and with the community

• fosterscivic responsibility

• integrated into andenhances the academic curriculumof the students, or theeducational componentsof the community service program in which the participant is enrolled

• provides structured time for participants toreflecton the service experience

Learn and ServeAmerica *Source: National and Community Service Trust Act of 1993 7. Elements of School-based Programs

• Integrates community serviceinto the curriculum

• Creates and maintains reciprocalpartnershipsbetween school and community

• Meets compellingcommunity needs

• Ensuresyouth leadershipand decision-making

• Addresses state and localstandards

• Providesat least 20 hoursof service in a semester

• Promotescivic skillsand engagement

• Occurs many timesthroughout the school years

Learn and ServeAmerica 8. Research Findings

• Improved Academic Achievement and Engagement

Learn and ServeAmerica

• Positive Civic Attitudes and Behaviors

• Reduction in Risky Behavior

9. Growth In Prevalence

• In 1984, only9%of high schools organized service-learning programs in their schools.

• By 2004,30%of public schools nation-wide organized service-learning, including46%of high schools.

Learn and ServeAmerica 10. National Service-Learning

• Gathers and disseminates information about service-learning at:www.servicelearning.org

• Curriculum, research, project examples

• E-Mail discussion lists

• Available free to the public

Learn and ServeAmerica Clearinghouse 11. Challenge to the Virtual World Community

• How can service-learning have a useful presence in virtual worldsandan impact in the real world?

Learn and ServeAmerica 12. Resources

• Corporation for National and Community Service

• www.nationalservice.gov

• National Service-Learning Clearinghouse

• www.servicelearning.org

• National Service-Learning Partnership

• www.service-learningpartnership.org

• Brad Lewis, Program Officer, Learn and Serve America

• Blewis@cns.gov or(202) 606-6898

Learn and ServeAmerica