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| From the Editors:
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  April was a busy month for us here at Learn and Serve America’s National Service-Learning Clearinghouse. We attended
the National Service-Learning Conference in Minneapolis, MN where we got to mix and mingle with so many amazing service-learning practitioners, researchers, and youth. We then flew back out west to Portland for the Western Regional Campus Compact Continuums
of Service Conference. That trip was especially exciting because of our new partnership with Campus Compact as our higher education Program Advisor. The trip reaffirmed our sense that this partnership is leading to new opportunities for both organizations
to support the service-learning field. Another invigorating feature of that trip was the time we got to spend with the Indian Tribes and US Territories sector at the annual Indigenous Forum pre-conference. Look for new photos, videos, and other resources collected
from colleagues at that event and at this week’s Summit on Indigenous Service Learning at Northwest Indian College.
If you missed any of these events, you missed hearing about the newest tool from NSLC to make it easier for you to make a difference: our brand-new SLICE (Service-Learning Ideas and Curricular Examples) database. SLICE is a one-stop shop for service-learning
lesson plans, syllabi, and project ideas and a chance to submit your own and let us promote your great work! Visit SLICE at
http://www.servicelearning.org/slice. But, SLICE isn’t the only way you can promote your projects. We’ve now made submitting resources easier than ever. Promote your materials today at:
http://www.servicelearning.org/library/promote/index.php.
In other news, there’s a new way NSLC is putting our money where our mouth is: we’re thrilled to have just hired two Federal Work Study Community Service students join our team here at NSLC! Please join us in welcoming Martina Bailey and Sarah Ragland. You
can learn more about Martina and Sarah by reading their bios here:
http://www.servicelearning.org/about_us/staff/index.php.
If you’re not familiar with FWS Community Service, the Higher Education Act (HEA) states that one of the purposes of the Federal Work Study program is “…to encourage students receiving Federal student financial assistance to participate in community service
activities that will benefit the Nation and engender in the students a sense of social responsibility and commitment to the community.” And colleges and universities are required to spend 7% of FWS funds on community service positions. To learn about how you
can use this program to help support your service-learning work, view the recording of the NSLC/Campus Compact webinar “Students as Colleagues” which included a discussion of this program at:
http://www.servicelearning.org/webinars/students_as_colleagues-april_2008.php.
(Available next week.)
Our team’s not done growing yet, though. NSLC is looking for a summer (or longer) intern, so if you’re a graduate student or know one who would be interested in joining us in using their passion for service-learning and skills to help support the greater service-learning
community please apply today!
http://www.servicelearning.org/events_jobs/job_opps/index.php#nslc.
Barbara and Liberty
Barbara Holland, National Service-Learning Clearinghouse Director
Liberty Smith, National Service-Learning Clearinghouse Program Manager |
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| News: |
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Learn and Serve America Notices of Funding Available
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| Program Advisor Spotlight: |
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Program Advisors to the National Service-Learning Clearinghouse provide sector-specific guidance and expertise to insure a responsive, contemporary, and vibrant NSLC. For information on all of our Program Advisors, visit:
http://www.servicelearning.org/about_us/prog_advisors/index.php.
Now that we’ve introduced all of our Program Advisors we thought we’d let you see some of the events where they will be speaking on behalf of NSLC. (If you’re a new subscriber to the newsletter, you can read all about our Program Advisors by looking through
our archived issues here:
http://www.servicelearning.org/what_is_service-learning/lists_news/nslc-newsletter/index.php.)
If you didn’t catch this week’s HE webinar on “Students as Colleagues” led by Campus Compact, look for the full recording next week at:
http://www.servicelearning.org/webinars/students_as_colleagues-april_2008.php.
Also this week, John Guffey, NSLC’s Tribes and US Territories Program Advisor will be providing the closing plenary at the 2nd Summit on Indigenous Service Learning. Read more about this three-day event here:
http://www.nwic.edu/cslsummit/
At the National Conference on Volunteering and Service in Atlanta, GA, June 1-3, NSLC is sponsoring three sessions. Gene Roehlkepartain from Search Institute is our CBO Advisor, and will be presenting “Service-Learning:
A Gateway Asset for Youth Development” for us on Monday, June 2. Also speaking on our behalf at this conference is Cathy Berger Kaye, presenting “Engaging
Parents to Strengthen Youth Service Programs” and, “Service Learning 101” (with Learn and Serve America
grantee, Joe Follman), both on Monday, June 2. Register for the event at:
http://www.volunteeringandservice.org/.
Presenting for NSLC at the 21st Century Community Learning Centers’ Summer Institute, July 15-17 in Dallas, TX, is K-12 Program Advisor Shelley Billig from RMC Research. Look for her workshop, “Maximizing Impacts of After-School Programs Using Service-Learning.”
Register for the event at:
http://www.sei2003.com/21stcentury/. |
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| New From NSLC:
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SLICE (Service-Learning Ideas and Curricular Examples)
 If
you are looking for resources and ideas for your program then come by and check out SLICE (Service–Learning Ideas and Curricular Examples), the newest tool from Learn and Serve America’s National Service-Learning Clearinghouse that helps make service-learning
easier and better.
It’s an easy-to-search database full of hundreds of high quality service-learning lesson plans, syllabi, and project ideas. Get teaching ideas for your program, and also help us grow the new database by submitting your own materials at:
servicelearning.org/slice.
SLICE is turning out to be a really rich database, a great resource for the community, and an exciting new way to call extra attention to the great work already being done in service-learning. We whole-heartedly encourage you to contribute your own lesson plans,
syllabi, and project ideas today!
Fact Sheets, Lite!
 In an effort to make NSLC materials of even more use to you, we’re continuing the development of
new mini-versions of our Fact Sheets. While you’ll always be able to find the in-depth research fact sheets on our website, we hope you’ll find these mini-versions a great way to get a quick overview of important service-learning research. Below you’ll find
a link to one of these great new resources. And keep your eyes open in the newsletter and at NSLC’s booths at upcoming conferences for more:
Character Education and Service-Learning
Learn more about the integral relationship of character education and service-learning.
http://www.servicelearning.org/instant_info/fact_sheets/cb_facts/char_ed/index.php
Citizenship and Service-Learning in K-12 Schools
The research on service-learning and citizenship in K-12 schools is growing rapidly as the issue of citizenship takes center stage on the national level. This fact sheet provides a very brief discussion of several of the emergent issues discovered in the research
and provides extended abstracts of a few key studies.
http://www.servicelearning.org/instant_info/fact_sheets/k-12_facts/citizenship/index.php
Developing Service-Learning Scholarship: Actions & Issues to Consider
This fact sheet provides a brief overview of contemporary issues regarding scholarship in higher education, actions to consider in developing a scholarly agenda in service-learning, and resources for faculty review, promotion and tenure.
http://www.servicelearning.org/instant_info/fact_sheets/he_facts/he_ops/index.php
Impacts of Service-Learning on Participating K-12 Students
Service-learning approaches used in K-12 schools have been found in many studies to have positive impacts on students' academic achievement, civic engagement, career aspirations, and social/personal development. This fact sheet provides an update and summary
of research on K-12 service-learning impacts published since 1999.
http://www.servicelearning.org/instant_info/fact_sheets/k-12_facts/impacts/index.php
Policy: K-12 Service-Learning
The development of state policies legitimizes the practice of service-learning. It also provides mechanisms for stable funding and development of guidelines for service-learning programs at the local school levels. This fact sheet will help you understand K-12
service-learning policy.
http://www.servicelearning.org/instant_info/fact_sheets/k-12_facts/policy/index.php |
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| People are Talking About...
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This month the Higher Ed email discussion list saw some members talking about service-learning in distance-learning courses and the challenges in implementing such a program. Several people shared their experience with distance-learning and computer-assisted
courses, offered advice, and suggested resources for help designing a curriculum.
Want to hear more? Read the thread here:
http://lists.etr.org/read/messages?id=88043
Over on the K-12 list, we saw discussion concerning peer tutoring and tutor training, particularly for at-risk students. Members who have created programs around this concept shared syllabi and summaries of curricula and posted links to helpful websites, including
www.tutormentorconnection.org as well as links from the NSLC Slice database. To post your own suggestions or advice, please visit
http://lists.etr.org/read/messages?id=88245.
If you’d like to sign up to receive messages from one or more of our email discussion lists on service-learning, please visit
http://www.servicelearning.org/what_is_service-learning/lists_news/. |
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| NSLC How-Tos:
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Searching SLICE (Service-Learning Ideas and Curricular Examples)
SLICE is the brand-new one-stop-shop for service-learning lesson plans, syllabi, and project ideas from Learn and Serve America’s National Service-Learning Clearinghouse. It’s easy to use, easy to -search, and we’ve even made it easy to add your own curricular
examples to this juicy database.
The easiest way to search SLICE is simply by selecting a sector (CBO, HE, K-12, Tribes/US Territories), and then entering a search term(s).
However, you can do a much more refined search in order to get exactly what you’re looking for, by clicking on ‘more options’. From here, you can search SLICE by grade level or setting, subject area/discipline, and/or area of service.
To select more than one Grade Level, Subject Area, or Area of Service, press and hold the <ctrl> key (<command> key on MAC) on your keyboard and select each category. You can also narrow down results by state, or see only those curricular examples produced
by Learn and Serve America Grantees. In any search, results that are Learn and Serve America Grantee-produced will have the LSA logo next to them.
So, if you’re looking for an example syllabus for a higher ed chemistry course, or a service-learning lesson plan to integrate into your 3rd grade math unit, SLICE is the place to look!
Do you have your own great service-learning teaching materials? Promote your projects by contributing your service-learning lesson plan, syllabus, or project idea to the SLICE database. It’s easy, just use our simple form!
From this page you can also view our guidelines for creating high quality service-learning lesson plans, syllabi, and project ideas.
http://www.servicelearning.org/slice/index.php?ep_action=share |
| Featured Library Resources:
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Engaged for Success: Service-Learning as a Tool for High School Dropout Prevention
John M. Bridgeland, John J. DiIulio, and Stewart C. Wulsin
 This
report presents original and secondary research that shows the ability of service-learning to address some of the principle causes of dropping out. It highlights findings from a nationally representative survey of 807 high school students, including 151 at-risk
students, who share their views of service-learning. The report also examines the results of focus groups of service-learning teachers who provide specific examples of the ways in which service-learning has affected their students, as well as interviews with
current students who offer their perspectives on service-learning programs. And the report draws upon research from a comprehensive national literature review, which found that service-learning improves almost every aspect of education that has an effect on
graduation rates. Service-learning holds the potential to address each of the underlying causes of low graduation rates, while incorporating the strategies most recommended for preventing students from dropping out.
http://www.servicelearning.org/library/lib_cat/index.php?library_id=7540
See the associated PowerPoint slide presentation for use at your next meeting or presentation on service-learning:
http://www.servicelearning.org/library/lib_cat/index.php?library_id=7541
Growing to Greatness 2008: The State of Service-Learning Project
Growing to Greatness (G2G) is the first comprehensive national study of the state of service-learning in kindergarten through 12th grade. It documents the unfolding story of service-learning, providing information to improve implementation, inform public policy,
and give a clear picture of the many ways young people contribute to society. This fourth year report follows the 2004 report (focus on impact on schools), the 2005 report (focus on impact on students), and the 2006 report(impact of service-learning on youths’
transitioning to adulthood and the impact of service-learning on the broader community). In 2007, we presented the Principles of Effective Practice. This year, we celebrate the collective work of many communities around the country in refining those original
principles, translating them into the new K-12 Service-Learning Standards for Quality Practice, and observing how the whole service-learning movement is evolving and maturing.
http://www.servicelearning.org/library/lib_cat/index.php?library_id=7514
K-12 Service-Learning Standards for Quality Practice
 These
standards and indicators were vetted through a series of “reactor panels” convened nationwide by the National Youth Leadership Council and RMC Research Corporation. The panels were composed of young people, teachers, school and district administrators, community
members, staff from community-based organizations, policy-makers, and others interested in service-learning. The process was much like content-setting standards in other fields. Each panel considered the work of the two before them, revising the standards
and indicators to ensure that they included the strongest aspects of quality, and to make the wording clearer, measurable, and actionable.
http://www.servicelearning.org/library/lib_cat/index.php?library_id=7509
Learn and Serve America Performance Report for Program Year 2006-2007
This report, Learn and Serve America Performance Report for Program Year 2006-2007, provides program data for organizations that received funds from Learn and Serve America for the 2006-2007 program year (spanning July 1, 2006, through June 30, 2007). The report
illustrates where Learn and Serve America funds are distributed, how many participants are being engaged in Learn and Serve America-funded activities, and the extent of institutionalization for organizations that receive support through Learn and Serve America.
http://www.servicelearning.org/library/lib_cat/index.php?library_id=7632
Service-Learning Dissertations and Theses 2004-2006
This study reports on findings from an analysis of the most recent collection—abstracts from 2004-2006. Learn and Serve America’s National Service-Learning Clearinghouse has compiled dissertation abstracts of service-learning and related topics from the early
1970s through the present. These collections trace the history of graduate research in service-learning and reflect the increasing prevalence of service-learning in graduate research, with the last six years bringing more total dissertations than were written
in the 20 preceding years. The dissertation collections offer opportunities to reflect on the state of and trends in graduate level research on service-learning, how these trends are influencing research and teaching in service-learning, and how that influence
could be harnessed to advance both practice and scholarship.
http://www.servicelearning.org/library/lib_cat/index.php?library_id=7542
**Service-Learning ‘Classic’**:
In addition to bringing you new library resources or those selected each month around a theme, we want to highlight some of those foundational resources that are of enduring importance and usefulness to the field. Remember that you can always conduct a search
for such "classic" resources (or "starter" and "expert" resources) by visiting our advanced library search page.
http://www.servicelearning.org/library/lib_cat/default.php
Kids As Planners: A Guide to Strengthening Students, Schools, and Communities Through Service-Learning
KIDS Consortium.
KIDS as Planners is a guidebook that provides teachers, school administrators, students and community partners with a process for designing, implementing and evaluating a service-learning project. It demonstrates how service-learning can effectively meet many
educational reform objectives: standards-based learning, character education and school-to-career initiatives. Including reproducible examples, tools and strategies, KIDS As Planners is a resource to help schools advance educational goals while deepening the
relationship between students and their communities. Partial contents: Getting Started; Studying Problems and Solutions; Designing and Implementing a Project; Developing the Academic Components; Sustaining Service-Learning; Resources; Reproducible Tools.
http://www.servicelearning.org/library/lib_cat/index.php?library_id=6450 |
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| Order Publications from NSLC:
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Did you know that NSLC offers copies of many of our most popular resources for free or low cost to both grantees and non-grantees? You can order copies of the
Bring Learning to Life public service announcement DVD and companion materials (including the new “What Is Service-Learning? A Guide for Parents,”) or order NSLC promotional items for your next event. The order process is easy. Just fill out the form
online and let us do the rest!
http://www.servicelearning.org/pubs/index.php
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| What's Happening:
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Accept the Challenge! 2008 DC Conference on Service and Leadership
May 14 - 16, 2008
Washington, DC
Serve DC and the Center for Nonprofit Advancement
http://www.servicelearning.org/events_jobs/slconf_events/index.php?action=detailed&event=754
2008 EPICS Conference
May 20 - 22, 2008
Lafayette, IN
National Science Foundation
http://www.servicelearning.org/events_jobs/slconf_events/index.php?action=detailed&event=751
International Institute on Student-centered Learning and Engagement
May 20 - 23, 2008
Portland, OR
Portland State University's Center for Academic Excellence
http://www.servicelearning.org/events_jobs/slconf_events/index.php?action=detailed&event=741
Community-Engaged Scholarship Faculty Development Charrette
May 28 - 30, 2008
Chapel Hill, NC
Community-Campus Partnerships for Health
http://www.servicelearning.org/events_jobs/slconf_events/index.php?action=detailed&event=727
2008 National Conference on Volunteering and Service
June 1 - 3, 2008
Atlanta, GA
Points of Light & Hands On Network and Corporation for National and Community Service
http://www.servicelearning.org/events_jobs/slconf_events/index.php?action=detailed&event=698
6th Annual National American Democracy Project (ADP) Meeting
June 12 - 14, 2008
Snowbird, UT
American Association of State Colleges and Universities
http://www.servicelearning.org/events_jobs/slconf_events/index.php?action=detailed&event=706
Summer Service-Learning Institute for Educators
June 24 - 27, 2008
Auburn, ME
KIDS Consortium
http://www.servicelearning.org/events_jobs/slconf_events/index.php?action=detailed&event=760
The Fifth Annual Urban Service-Learning Institute
June 26 - 27, 2008
Saint Paul, MN
Metropolitan State University
http://www.servicelearning.org/events_jobs/slconf_events/index.php?action=detailed&event=777 |
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| Learn and Serve America Grantee Materials Roundup: |
Learn and Serve America’s National Service-Learning Clearinghouse library seeks submissions from Learn and Serve America Grantees and others. Did you start from scratch when your program began? Did you ever wish that you could benefit from what
others had learned in their own beginnings? The National Service-Learning Clearinghouse is here to help make that connection between programs that are getting started and those ready to share lessons already learned. By contributing the program materials you
have created, you give new programs a head start. If you have produced surveys, forms, curricula, project plans, or any type of materials that could be shared with others involved in service-learning, send them our way!
Whether or not you're a Learn and Serve America Grantee, let others know about the successful approaches used in your service-learning program. Submit today at
http://www.servicelearning.org/library/mat_contrib/index.php.
Remember that Learn and Serve America grantees must send the Clearinghouse all program evaluations and other material developed through their funded activities.
Check out this list of recent grantee submissions to find evaluation tools, program ideas, publicity ideas, strategies for measuring learning, etc.
http://www.servicelearning.org/library/lib_cat/grantee_submitted_mats.php |
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Camp Fire USA Community Preparedness Initiative
Camp Fire USA
http://www.servicelearning.org/library/lib_cat/index.php?library_id=7477
Evaluation of the Florida Community/Higher Education/School Partnership Program (CHESP): Final Report
Florida Learn and Serve
http://www.servicelearning.org/library/lib_cat/index.php?library_id=7479
Students in Service: A Strategy for Learning
Volunteer Tennessee
http://www.servicelearning.org/library/lib_cat/index.php?library_id=7485
Youth Ready to Respond: Disaster Preparedness
Orange County Department of Education
http://www.servicelearning.org/library/lib_cat/index.php?library_id=7486
Case Portraits of Exemplary Service-Learning Programs in Middle and High Schools in Florida
Florida Learn and Serve
http://www.servicelearning.org/library/lib_cat/index.php?library_id=7488
Maryland Student Service-Learning Guidelines
Maryland State Department of Education
http://www.servicelearning.org/library/lib_cat/index.php?library_id=7489
Spinning Interdisciplinary Service-Learning Webs: A Project of the Maryland Service-Learning Fellows Program
Maryland State Department of Education
http://www.servicelearning.org/library/lib_cat/index.php?library_id=7499
Florida Service-Learning Month Toolkit
Florida Learn and Serve
http://www.servicelearning.org/library/lib_cat/index.php?library_id=7516
Working with KIDS: A Service-Learning Guide for Community Partners
KIDS Consortium
http://www.servicelearning.org/library/lib_cat/index.php?library_id=7539 |
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| Promote Your Program!
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We want to show the world what service-learning can look like!
Do you have a terrific story of a student who was slipping through the cracks until they were reached by service-learning? Or do you have an inspiring project that makes others wonder what THEY could be doing to better the community? Send us your service-learning
success stories and let us tell them to America!
http://www.servicelearning.org/nslc/success_story_form/
Send us your high quality photos of your service-learning programs or projects to highlight on our sector pages, as well as on the rest of the site, what service-learning in action can look like!
http://www.servicelearning.org/library/mat_contrib/share_photo_form.php
We appreciate the contributions you make to the enhancement of the National Service-Learning Clearinghouse, America 's Resource for Service-Learning Information. |
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| Success Stories: |
| Success stories are a way for NSLC to highlight and show off what you have done and are doing in the realm of service-learning.
Submit your story.
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SaYES Success Story
Byron-Bergen Central School District, Bergen, New York
As part of National Emergency Preparedness Month, over 40 people participated in a four hour workshop titled, "Are YOU Ready? Emergency Preparedness for Senior Citizens" on September 19, 2007. The class was organized by the Byron-Bergen Emergency Response Team
(BBERT), a student group that supports health, safety and disaster planning initiatives throughout the Byron-Bergen School District. Presenters included a local RSVP volunteer, district staff, and local representatives of the Red Cross, Health Department,
and Emergency Management Services, as well as five Byron-Bergen High School students, Diana Bonilla, Sarah Hartman, Trevor Laurie, Molly Long and Kayleigh Puma.
BBERT students, who are trained to help staff a Red Cross emergency shelter at the Middle/High School, worked over the summer to look at utilization of the current space versus improved facilities currently being planned. "We currently can't shelter as many
people as the Red Cross thought we could," said Sarah Hartman in her presentation. The planned improvements include increased gym space that would allow more cots in a better ventilated area, and improvements to the kitchen, cafeterias, and lavatories. One
of the reasons people are hesitant to leave their homes during a disaster is the inability to bring pets to a Red Cross shelter. Molly Long explained the pilot project she is working on to create a pet shelter in the district's bus garage.
Evaluations from the day were universally positive. "I enjoyed the program," wrote one participant. "It's nice to know our children are available to help." Another said, "Thank you all for taking the time for all of us." As further proof of their success, a
number of Byron-Bergen students were invited to Albany to give a presentation about the BBERT program to New York’s First Lady Silda Wall Spitzer, New York State Education Department officials and State Farm Insurance executives to compete for additional grant
money. |
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View other success stories.
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Spread the Good News! |
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NSLC is all about sharing, so please feel free to forward this newsletter to friends and colleagues and invite them to subscribe by sending a blank email to
join_nslc-newsletter@lists.etr.org. You're also welcome to incorporate excerpts from the newsletter into your own newsletter (just be sure to cite Learn and Serve America's National Service-Learning Clearinghouse NSLC Newsletter and send us a copy). |
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