Conducted an experimental evaluation of Teen Outreach, a national volunteer service program. Found that rates of pregnancy, school failure, and academic suspension, at exit nine months later, were substantially lower in the Teen Outreach group, even after accounting for group differences at entry. Results suggest potential value of interventions…

Discusses the difficulty parish catechetical coordinators face in recruiting volunteer religion teachers. Presents recommendations for successful recruiting: stable programs that are spoken of confidently; in-service formation of catechists; recruitment that is done by the entire parish; casting a wide net; and creating an environment welcoming…

Recent research indicates that participating in service-learning programs appears to benefit youngsters, but there is scant evidence demonstrating the connection between service and particular educational objectives. Except for consistent evidence supporting a reflection component, researchers have failed to identify which program elements and…

Reviews the current state of knowledge about various (adult-volunteer) tutoring programs' effects on student achievement. Except for the Howard Street Tutoring Program and the School Volunteer Development Project (two very small programs), the programs reviewed present no unbiased evidence of effectiveness. Comparison groups are needed to…

The Thomas J. Pappas Regional Education Center in Phoenix, Arizona, is a magnet school for homeless students from unorganized territories, military installations, Indian reservations, and national forest lands. This "accommodation" school, supported by federal grants, in-kind business donations, and committed volunteer mentors from the…

Creating Lasting Connections is an alcohol/drug abuse prevention program that defines communities in terms of the social support systems connected with the church. Community mobilization emphasizes development and training of community volunteer teams to act as advocates for the program. (SK)

An Oregon elementary teacher attributes her best teaching year ever to parents' and community members' voluntary participation. They got involved in four ways--communicating through voice mail, sharing expertise in the classroom, helping gather lesson materials, and participating in monthly learning celebrations. These activities supplemented…

Presents an interview with two volunteers who set up and ran a school from scratch located in the mountains of Guatemala. Notes that after three months, the government was convinced to send at least one teacher. (RS)

Presents a study with two aims: (1) to determine whether Australian volunteers and paid workers were engaged in similar activities; and (2) to determine whether personality attributes were similar among volunteers of similar activities. Discusses the results of the study in detail. (CMK)

Examined the extent and type of assistance older people provided to others. Age, gender, and perceived health status were the most consistent predictors of assistance. Help with instrumental activities of daily living, either alone or in combination with other activities of daily living, was the most common type of personal care provided. (RJM)

A survey of 200 volunteer monitors in literacy centers in India identified problems they had, particularly in acquiring suitable materials and securing cooperation from agencies and communities. Some relationship between monitors' personal characteristics and problems was found, suggesting a need for preservice and inservice training. (SK)

Discusses issues involved in moving a library collection based on experiences at the Fort Smith Public Library. Highlights include planning; deciding on the right time to move; measuring collection size; personnel, including professional versus volunteers and library staff; service during the move; transporting the collection; communication with…

Examined a program to recruit volunteer physical activity providers in middle schools. Twenty-one community volunteers provided 850 physical activity hours at seven schools. Volunteers who received incentives offered more minutes of activity, conducted more activity sessions, reached more students, and logged more student-minutes of physical…

Offers a personal reflection based upon the author's experiences as Special Education Coordinator in a Catholic secondary school, where she was responsible for overseeing a reading program which used parent volunteers as tutors for students with literacy difficulties. Discusses the perceived benefits for those involved in the program. (SG)

Examines the kinds of framing and positioning issues that arise in service sites aimed at literacy learning. Looks at interactions between college students and the middle school students they tutored in after-school programs. Discusses the possibilities that arise when those who teach also serve. Argues that engaging in service learning with…