Mesa Service Learning

Educators - General Information

Service learning is a teaching strategy, not a program. This section contains segments of the training materials that are used in Mesa Public Schools to help teachers from Pre-Kindergarten through high school as they incorporate service learning into their classes, clubs, teams, and other school groups. The basic components are: What is Service Learning. Why? (What are the Benefits?), and How to Do Service (The “PAR” Model),

Ideas for projects may be found throughout this website, but the prototypes are the best way to get the big picture of how to put together a service learning project that combines academic and service learning standards, and the best practices of service learning. Be sure to look at the prototypes and the Arizona Service Learning Standards (under Resources/Arizona).

One last thing, and it is important! The National Service Learning Standards Committee adopted the following “Principles” in February 24, 2006, and is now working on National Service Learning Standards. Stay tuned for those, and on the mean time, study the Principles.

Principles of Effective Practice for K-12 Service Learning

1. Curriculum Integration – embedding service learning experiences in curricular goals and standards that drive student learning of concepts, content, and skills in academic disciplines and co-curricular settings.
2. Diversity – fostering civil discourse and democratic values through the inclusion of diverse perspectives and experiences, and through a respect for all learners.
3. Meaningful Service – applying problem solving and critical thinking skills to community and civic needs within real-world environments.
4. Reflection – facilitating continuous reflection – before, during, and after the service experiences – using multiple, cognitively challenging methods to encourage critical and creative thinking that address learning objectives.
5. Youth Voice – engaging the vision and leadership of young people as valued contributors to society by integrating their ideas into the selection, design, implementation, and evaluation of the service learning experiences.
6. Process Monitoring – analyzing student reflections and assessment measures, in combination with project and partner evaluation data, for continuous review and improvement.
7. Duration – ensuring that service and learning experiences are of sufficient intensity and duration, (or are equal to one semester), so that all phases of planning – through project evaluation – are included.
8. Reciprocal Partnerships – leveraging community assets and promoting collaborative communication and interaction among stakeholders.