Post on 28-Mar-2015
What do you see now?Let’s brainstorm what you already see going
on in Clintonville.
What is Service-Learning?Service-learning is an educational method
that entwines the threads of experiential learning and community service. It meets educational objectives through real-world experiences, while tapping youths as resources to benefit their schools and communities.
Points of Light FoundationYouth on Boards
What Service Learning is Not…An episodic volunteer program
An add-on to an existing school or college curriculum
Completing minimum service hours
Service assigned as a form of punishment
Only for high school or college students
One-sided: benefiting only students or only the community
Learn and Serve America
ComparisonsWhat’s the difference?
COMMUNITY SERVICE SERVICE LEARNING
Four Premises about LearningInstruction does not cause learningFor learning to occur, learners must see the
relevance of the knowledge and the skill in their lives
Knowledge is an evolving conversation with one’s environment, oneself, and others
Individuals create knowledge by reflecting on their past physical and mental actions and on their current knowledge, skills, and attitudes.
Robert Garmston, The Adaptive School
Student BenefitsHigher grade point averageHigher self-esteemHigher attendance ratesMore goal orientedConnected to the community in a positive
wayAuthentic enjoyment of learningDecreased behavioral issues
School BenefitsIncreased academic performanceImproved school climateGreater community/taxpayer supportIncreased staff moraleEngaged and motivated learnersBroader strategy base for instruction – reach
more learners
Community BenefitsWhat benefits can you envision coming from
service learning in our community?
Service Learning Works Carnegie Corporation Study of High School Civic Engagement
(Billig, Root, & Jesse, 2005) Service-learning students had higher scores of enjoyment of school overall than comparison group peers and were significantly more likely to report intending to vote than comparison students.
Surveys of Learn and Serve participants in Wisconsin (Kirkham, 2001) found that 97.9% of teachers who offer service-learning said that students learned more than what they would have learned through regular instruction. Nearly half (46.4%) reported that students' grades improved and 35.8% reported that absenteeism decreased. High school students who participated generally affirmed these findings. On a survey, 77% said that they acquired new skills, knowledge, and interests; 67% reported that they gained a broader understanding of people and places; and 62% said they had a better understanding of the community and how it works.
Colorado Learn and Serve Program (Kim & Billig, 2003; Klute, Sandel, & Billig, 2002) Results showed a statistically significant difference in connection to community, connection to school, and civic responsibility for those participating in service-learning relative to their nonparticipating peers.
Impact of Service-Learning on Transitions to Adulthood (Martin, Neal, Kielsmeier, & Crossley, 2006) A nationally representative survey examined the ways in which service-learning involvement affected youths’ development of attributes associated with adulthood. Compared to their peers, young adults who participated in K-12 service-learning were more likely to discuss politics or community issues and vote in an election year, more politically and socially connected to their communities, both as leaders and role models, and more active members of society.
Service Learning Works
Learn and Serve Wisconsin Grant DetailsPurpose of the grant is for capacity
building and professional development.Seven schools in the county signed on
with this DPI Grant.Elements of the Grant: One project at
each level, evaluation, conference attendance, and school/community capacity building.
Clintonville’s InitiativeFormal announcement…today’s lunchTrain a 2nd wave of teachers, through grant and
in-house with train-the-trainer modelBe leaders among the 7 collaborating districtsFormulate a District Policy supporting Service
Learning as an instructional strategy that we encourage teachers to use
Develop a student “marketing” piece – empower kids to realize their potential to make a difference
Build partnerships within the community
We’re going to do this right!Professional Development
Continue participation in grant opportunity Train the Trainer model
Standards based Curriculum standards Service Learning standards
Meaningful service, link to curriculum, reflection, diversity, youth voice, partnerships, progress monitoring, duration and intensity
Connect with the community Today’s luncheon Chamber of Commerce – school district ambassador,
communicate in newsletter Celebrations in public – print and otherwise
What could your role be?