Service learning has been defined as the integration of service with academic growth. It is a method through which young people learn and develop through active participation in thoughtfully organized service experiences. Service learning programs are individualized and unique, and to duplicate one program or to expect the same effects from one…

Although America's extended schooling structure is better preparation for work, it may be worse preparation for life. Young people, during their journey to a productive and fulfilling adulthood, need to see that they have a stake in the community, a meaningful role to play in it, and a reason for investing in its future. This book, divided into…

This supplement contains five unit summaries on service learning that were developed during the 1996 summer institutes conducted by the Social Science Education Consortium (SSEC) for teams of middle school teachers selected from the western United States. Each unit summary in the supplement has been developed to correspond in style to unit…

This paper suggests ways that educators can learn about family needs, assess readiness for family-school cooperation, explore community resources, and activate an effective family-school relationship. Examples of family-school-community programs are provided. (SJL)

Service-learning is a pedagogy that combines community service with academic instruction, focusing on critical, reflective thinking and civic responsibility. This guide is designed to foster the development of service-learning programs at community colleges and presents experiences, ideas, and lessons learned from existing programs. First, reasons…

This booklet is designed to be used as a workbook to present the concept of community education in a format which addresses important questions any community needs to consider as it explores community education. The booklet can be used in conjunction with the videotape "Community Education: A Profile of Two Communities." However, the contents of…

This article examines ways in which the school-linked integration of services can be provided to students and their families. The first section presents several points that illustrate the critical need for improving service delivery to families. The need is escalated due to faltering support services, increasing poverty among young families,…

The purpose of the conference reported in this document was to share recent information about the nature and effectiveness of school-linked services; policy options for implementing neighborhood projects involving elementary and middle schools and their surrounding communities in Dallas, Houston, Austin and San Antonio; and future prospects for…

This idea book comes from projects undertaken by American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) chapters and state and local retired teachers associations around the United States. The projects described range from simple acts performed by one volunteer to elaborate schemes funded by corporations, from involvement in existing programs to the…

Although many programs and agencies exist to serve the needs of at-risk children, their fragmented organization results in a failure to meet all students' needs. Ways for agencies working together to provide integrative services to at-risk youth are presented in this paper. First, emerging principles for interagency collaboration are summarized.…

Suggestions for service learning projects that have been tested in schools around the state of Washington are presented in this guide. Several specific programs are described along with the rationale of why students should participate in service learning. Suggestions are given on how to develop an ethic of service, maximizing involvement, and…

Addresses the feasibility of developing rural community transition councils to improve transition services for students with disabilities. Describes the role of local transition councils in relation to the context of rural communities and transition services. Includes suggestions for enhancing community cohesiveness and community capacity to…

As increased attention is placed on the role of schools in the development of character, community service/service learning, the concept of providing instrution through the study of community issues, action to address them, and reflection on the experience, can help meet school and community goals. Through community service/service learning,…

This paper outlines a process for rebuilding the educational partnership among schools, communities, and homes. The process is based on community education, which is both a philosophy of education and a model for the systematic development of community and educational partnerships. The process has four major components: (1) provision of diverse…

This curriculum guide discusses civic responsibility, how it is tied to service learning, how faculty can integrate concepts and exercises in a practical way, and how faculty can assess the development of civic responsibility in their students. Civic responsibility is defined here as active participation in the public life of a community, in an…