What is Service-Learning?

According to the National Service-Learning Clearinghouse, Service-Learning is a teaching and learning strategy that integrates meaningful community service with instruction and reflection to enrich the learning experience, teach civic responsibility, and strengthen communities.

Through service-learning, young people—from kindergarteners to college students—use what they learn in the classroom to solve real-life problems. They not only learn the practical applications of their studies, they become actively contributing citizens and community members through the service they perform.

Service-learning can be applied in a wide variety of settings, including schools, universities, and community-based and faith-based organizations. It can involve a group of students, a classroom or an entire school. Students build character and become active participants as they work with others in their school and community to create service projects in areas such as education, public safety, and the environment.

Community members, students, and educators everywhere are discovering that service-learning offers all its participants a chance to take part in the active education of youth while simultaneously addressing the concerns, needs, and hopes of communities.

What Are the Benefits of Service-Learning to Students, Schools, and Communities?

Students Gain:

•  21st century skills: critical-thinking, problem-solving, leadership, decision-making, collaboration, and communication
•  Real-world experience connected to academic subjects.
•  Greater sense of the purpose for learning.
•  Deeper understanding of themselves and empathy and respect for others.
•  Opportunities to explore skills and interests and to network for career readiness.
•  Guided practice in taking action as socially responsible global citizens.
•  Increased self-efficacy as they address community needs.

Schools Gain:

• Deeper connection between academic knowledge and real-world applications.
• Increased pro-social behavior and student engagement.
• An effective drop-out prevention strategy.
• A focus for school improvement.
• Improved school climate.
• Positive school-community relationships.

Communities Gain:

• Energy and creativity of youth in addressing community needs.
• Opportunities to build positive relationships between community members and schools.
• New perspectives on youth as assets, not liabilities.
• New generation of caring and experienced citizens, activists and volunteers - tomorrow's civic leaders.
• Increased public awareness of key issues.