NYLC: Service-Learning Resource Library

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Practitioners see the results of service-learning first hand, but that's often not enough. Policy-makers, administrators, and parents want and deserve proof that service-learning is an effective learning and community development model. Here, we've gathered key resource to help you "make the case" for service-learning.

Articles

New Research: Service-Learning and the Transition to Adulthood
July 6, 2006

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American Indian Service Learning (PDF, 656 KB)
Rationale and support for integration of service-learning into American Indian education. Includes a historical perspective on service contributions by indigenous people and analysis of the boarding school movements' effect on American Indians' commitment to and concept of community. (The Generator, Spring 2004)

Authors: Lynn LaPointe
Topics: Standards & Curriculum Integration, Diversity, Best Practices, Benefits of Service-Learning
Recommended for: Educators, Administrators, Youths, Researchers & Policy-Makers
Publication Year: 2004

Bridging from High School to College (PDF, 139 KB)

Findings From the 2004 CIRP Freshman Survey

The Cooperative Institutional Research Program at UCLA reports the percentage of college freshmen who were required to participate in service or service-learning to graduate high school. Some correlations are drawn between high school academic achievement, service-learning, and college success and lifelong service. (Growing to Greatness 2005)

Authors: Lori Vogelgesang
Topics: Assessment & Evaluation, Research & Policy
Recommended for: Researchers & Policy-Makers
Publication Year: 2005

Building a Framework for Service-Learning (PDF, 2 MB)

The South Carolina Experience

Written by a state superintendent of education, this article outlines the ways that service-learning has been an initiative for positive change in South Carolina. There, service-learning has been integrated into teacher preparation programs and used in conjunction with state academic standards. (Phi Delta Kappan, May 2000)

Authors: Inez Tenenbaum
Topics: Standards & Curriculum Integration, Best Practices, Reflection, Research & Policy
Recommended for: Educators, Administrators, Researchers & Policy-Makers
Publication Year: 2000

Civics, Service-Learning, and Society (PDF, 444 KB)

A Recipe for Democracy

Makes the case for service-learning as the basis for citizenship education and civics curriculum. Highlights voter education programs that use service-learning to counteract civic apathy. (The Generator, Spring 2002)

Authors: Rob Shumer
Topics: Standards & Curriculum Integration, Research & Policy, Benefits of Service-Learning, Youth Voice & Leadership
Recommended for: Educators, Administrators, Community-Based Organizations, Parents
Publication Year: 2002

Freedom Writers Prove That the "Pen is [Still] Mightier Than the Sword" (PDF, 82 KB)
Description of urban teens who improved their writing skills with service-learning and a teacher who "played to their strengths." Ideas for student engagement in language arts and the power of student letter-writing. (The Generator, Winter 2004/2005)

Authors: Maddy Wegner
Topics: Standards & Curriculum Integration, Reflection, Youth Voice & Leadership
Recommended for: Educators, Youths
Publication Year: 2004

The Impact of Service-Learning on Educational Excellence (PDF, 530 KB)
Addresses the benefits of high-quality service-learning for individual learners, schools, and the broader community. (Learning By Giving)

Authors: NYLC
Topics: Assessment & Evaluation, Research & Policy, Benefits of Service-Learning
Recommended for: Educators, Administrators, Researchers & Policy-Makers, Parents
Publication Year: 1993

The Impact of Service-Learning on the Transition to Adulthood (PDF, 557 KB)
Highlights findings from the NYLC-Harris Interactive National Survey on Service-Learning and Transitioning to Adulthood. Focus is on the relationship between the factors that support a healthy transition to adulthood and the positive attributes gained by high school students engaged in service-learning. Useful statistics, graphs, and evidence from this nationally representative study are included. (Growing to Greatness 2006)

Authors: Suzanne Martin, Marybeth Neal, Jim Kielsmeier, Alison Crossley
Topics: Research & Policy, Benefits of Service-Learning, Youth Voice & Leadership
Recommended for: Educators, Administrators, Youths, Researchers & Policy-Makers, Parents
Publication Year: 2006

K-12 Service Learning Impacts (PDF, 170 KB)

A Review of State-Level Studies of Service-Learning

Description of state-level service-learning research project including three-page matrix and results. Information about promising research models and areas of need for future research studies. (Growing to Greatness 2005)

Authors: Richard Bradley, The John Glenn Institute
Topics: Assessment & Evaluation, Research & Policy, Benefits of Service-Learning
Recommended for: Educators, Administrators, Community-Based Organizations, Researchers & Policy-Makers, Parents
Publication Year: 2005

National Service and Education for Citizenship (PDF, 1 MB)
An early advocate for service-learning, Sen. Edward M. Kennedy wrote this article about the power and promise of service-learning to address issues of concern for all citizens. Highlights pivotal legislation (National and Community Service Act of 1990) in support of service-learning, and historic examples of citizens called to service. (Phi Delta Kappan, June 1991)

Authors: Sen. Edward Kennedy
Topics: Research & Policy, Benefits of Service-Learning
Recommended for: Educators, Administrators, Researchers & Policy-Makers, Parents
Publication Year: 1991

The National Survey on Service-Learning and Transitioning to Adulthood (PDF, 734 KB)

Final Report

The final report from "The National Survey on Service-Learning and Transitioning to Adulthood," conducted by Harris Interactive for the National Youth Leadership Council. The nationally representative survey included 3,123 U.S. residents ages 18-28, with a wide range of direct and indirect service experiences. Among the key findings in this 129-page document are: Adults who engaged in service-learning in their teenaged years are more likely than their peers to be politically and socially connected to their communities, serve as role models for young adults, engage in service, and attain a higher level of education. Note: This is a research report, rich with graphs, statistics, and figures, intended for those in need of extensive data.

Authors: Harris Interactive
Topics: Research & Policy, Benefits of Service-Learning
Recommended for: Educators, Administrators, Community-Based Organizations, Researchers & Policy-Makers
Publication Year: 2006

A Rationale for Service-Learning (ZIP, 6 MB)

Outcomes for Students, School and Community

Primer for understanding the educational philosophy and rationale behind service-learning. Thorough explanation of the beneficial outcomes of service-learning for students, teachers, schools, and communities. (Growing Hope)

Authors: Faye Caskey, Rich Cairn, Jim Kielsmeier, Kate McPherson
Topics: Standards & Curriculum Integration, Research & Policy, Benefits of Service-Learning, Youth Voice & Leadership
Recommended for: Educators, Administrators
Publication Year: 1995

Service to Others (PDF, 179 KB)

A "Gateway Asset" for School Success and Healthy Development

New analysis of the Search Institute's study of adolescent development trends reveals service-learning as a "gateway asset" for 14 out of the 40 identified developmental assets. Developmental assets have been identified in the past as indicators for building resilience, and predictive factors for school success and academic achievement in young people. (Growing to Greatness 2004)

Authors: Peter Scales, Eugene Roehlkepartain
Topics: Standards & Curriculum Integration, Research & Policy, Benefits of Service-Learning
Recommended for: Educators, Administrators, Researchers & Policy-Makers, Parents
Publication Year: 2004

Service-Learning Research (PDF, 116 KB)

What Have We Learned from the Past

Five of the most influential service-learning research reviews and studies are summarized. They also suggest direction for future study. (Growing to Greatness 2005)

Authors: Rob Shumer
Topics: Best Practices, Research & Policy
Recommended for: Educators, Researchers & Policy-Makers
Publication Year: 2005

Service-Learning and Transitioning to Adulthood (PDF, 614 KB)
Article analyzing data from the NYLC-Harris Interactive National Survey on Service-Learning and Transitioning to Adulthood. Among the key findings the author highlights: Adults who engaged in service-learning in their teenaged years are more likely than their peers to be politically and socially connected to their communities, serve as role models for young adults, engage in service, and attain a higher level of education. (Harris Interactive's Trends and Tudes, April 2006).br />

Authors: Suzanne Martin
Topics: Research & Policy, Benefits of Service-Learning, Youth Voice & Leadership
Recommended for: Educators, Administrators, Youths, Community-Based Organizations, Researchers & Policy-Makers, Parents
Publication Year: 2006

Service-Learning by the Numbers (PDF, 40 KB)
Statistics current for 2006 illustrate the widespread interest in and benefits of service-learning. (Growing to Greatness 2006)

Authors: NYLC
Topics: Assessment & Evaluation, Standards & Curriculum Integration, Research & Policy, Benefits of Service-Learning
Recommended for: Educators, Administrators, Youths, Researchers & Policy-Makers
Publication Year: 2006

A Time to Serve, a Time to Learn (PDF, 4 MB)

Service-Learning and the Promise of Democracy

The rationale for service-learning and the history of the movement are included in this seminal article. Written by NYLC's founder, it shows the growth, change, and future challenges of the service-learning movement. Highlights include the Alabama cemetery project, higher-education data, and statistics of high school student service hours. (Phi Delta Kappan, May 2000)

Authors: Jim Kielsmeier
Topics: Standards & Curriculum Integration, Research & Policy, Benefits of Service-Learning, Youth Voice & Leadership
Recommended for: Educators, Administrators, Researchers & Policy-Makers
Publication Year: 2000

We Know Kids Like It, But Does It Work? (PDF, 1 MB)

Assessing Service-Learning Through Classroom Action Research

Two action research vignettes highlight the impact of service-learning on building resilience and academic success in high school students. Specific examples from a cross-age teaching project demonstrate the effectiveness of service-learning within an alternative high school over a two-year time period. (The Generator, Fall 1997/Winter 1998)

Authors: Jane Hammatt Kavaloski
Topics: Assessment & Evaluation, Standards & Curriculum Integration, Reflection, Research & Policy, Youth Voice & Leadership
Recommended for: Educators, Administrators, Researchers & Policy-Makers
Publication Year: 1997

Support From NYLC

Consulting Services

Growing to Greatness: The State of Service-Learning Project

Links

Corporation for National and Community Service

Learn and Serve America

Learning In Deed

National Service-Learning Clearinghouse

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