"Service-learning is the blending of service and learning goals in such a way that the two reinforce each other and produce a greater impact than either could produce alone."
Barry Fenstermacher, NYLC
"Service-learning is a teaching/learning method that connects meaningful community service with academic learning, personal growth, and civic responsibility."
National Youth Leadership Council
Service-learning "uses real life for its textbooks
and actual experiences for its tests."
Niquie Tackman, student
| School-based service learning is... |
School-based service learning is not... |
* A method of teaching that combines community service with curriculum-based learning |
* A volunteer or community service program with no ties to academics |
* Linked to academic content and standards |
* An "add-on" to the existing curriculum |
* About students helping to determine and meet real, defined community needs |
* Logging a certain number to service hours in order to graduate |
* Reciprocal in nature, benefiting both the community and the student |
* One-sided, benefiting either the students or the community |
* An effective way to encourage and foster active citizenship as part of public education |
* Compensatory service assigned as a form of punishment by the courts or school administrators |
* An approach to teaching and learning that can be used in any curriculum area as long as it is appropriate to the learning goals |
* Only for use in social studies classes, civics, or American government |
* For all ages, even the youngest children |
* Only for high school and college students |
