"Service to the community
is one of our deepest national traditions, and people of all ages can
make a difference by serving others." - President Bill Clinton
What is Service-Learning?
Service-learning is a method by which students improve academic learning and develop personal skills through structured service projects that meet community needs. Service-learning builds upon students' service activities by providing them with opportunities to learn by preparing, leading, and reflecting upon their service experiences.In schools, service-learning is integrated into the academic curriculum. Students in kindergarten through college apply their academic skills, knowledge, and abilities to service projects that meet community needs. Educators facilitate learning by creating opportunities for students to understand and analyze their service experiences in the context of their course work.
Youth learn by doing. Young people develop practical skills, self-esteem, and a sense of civic responsibility by designing, planning, and implementing their service projects.
Why is service-learning important?
Evidence from a national study of Learn and Serve America programs suggests that effective service-learning programs:
- improve academic grades;
- increase attendance in school; and
- develop personal and social responsibility.
What do students do?
The service that young people provide through service-learning projects is diverse and virtually unlimited. Students preserve native plants, design neighborhood playgrounds, teach younger children to read, test the local water quality, create wheelchair accessible ramps to schools, prepare food for the homeless, develop urban community gardens, construct community murals, start school recycling programs, and much more.
What do students learn?
Whether the outcomes are academic development, personal development, or both, students learn critical thinking, communication, teamwork, civic responsibility, mathematical reasoning, problem-solving, public speaking, vocational training, computer skills, scientific method, research skills, and analysis.