What’s So Great About Service Learning? 2009 Missouri Service-Learning Conference October 5-6, 2009 Communities Under Construction   Joan Lennon Liptrot

National Dropout Prevention Center/Network How many students do you think drop out of school each year in this country? National Dropout Prevention Center/Network

Dropout Prevention: A National Issue Almost 1.2 million who should have graduated in 2006 did not leave school on time with a regular diploma Enough to fill more than 28,000 school buses (Alliance for Excellent Education website)

What do families and communities want from education? They want schools to develop students who: Master academic subjects, Love learning, Connect skills/learning to the real world, Practice good citizenship/civic engagement, Demonstrate leadership, Engage in problem solving and critical thinking, Are of good character, and Have positive self esteem/self image

“… students consistently rank components of service learning– such as the development of leadership skills, teaching how to be an involved citizen, working with others to address public issues, and making courses relevant to everyday life in communities – as more important to getting the most out of their high school experience than being involved with community service.” Engaged for Success, A Report by Civic Enterprises in association with Peter D. Hart Research Associates for the National Conference on Citizenship, John M. Bridgeland, John J. DiIulio, Jr, &. Stuart C. Wulsin

What is “at-risk” ? An at-risk student is “someone who is unlikely to graduate on schedule with both the skills and the self-esteem necessary to exercise meaningful options in the areas of work, leisure, culture, civic affairs, and inter/intrapersonal relationships”. - Richard Sagor

Categories of Factors Contributing To Students Being “At-Risk” Individual Factors Family Factors School Factors Community Factors

Individual Factors Lack of future orientation Inadequate peer relationships Drug abuse Pregnancy Special learning needs Depression

Family Factors Poverty Low expectations Abuse Mobility of family Parent level of education Language and literacy levels

School Factors Lack of program for challenged students No significant, interested adult Lack of alternatives for learning Lack of active learning instruction No individual learning plans Behavior & discipline issues Retention policies

Community Factors Lack of involvement with schools Lack of support for schools Non-caring environment Low expectations Violence Few recreational facilities

Status Variables Age, Gender Socioeconomic background Ethnicity Native language Mobility Family structure (Lehr, C.A.,et.al, Essential Tools, 2004)

Alterable Variables Grades, Retention Disruptive behavior Absenteeism School Policies, Climate Sense of belonging Attitude toward school Support in the home (Lehr, C.A.,et.al, Essential Tools, 2004)

Why do you think students drop out of school? National Dropout Prevention Center/Network

National Dropout Prevention Center/Network Some Common Responses Didn’t like school Poor grades Couldn’t get along with teachers Had to get a job Pregnant Expelled or suspended Felt like they didn’t belong at school National Dropout Prevention Center/Network

Dropping out is not simply a result of academic failure. R. W. Rumberger, 2004 Why Students Drop Out of School” In Dropouts in America: Confronting the Graduation Rate Crisis, Gary Orfield, Editor

Dropping out is a process, not an event. Dropout Risk Factors and Exemplary Programs, National Dropout Prevention Center/Network (2007)

Meet Your Youth Read about your youth Discuss the risk factors Record the risk factors

Service Project What Developmental Assets or Resiliency skills could be developed/nurtured/reinforced in this service project? Which would help meet the needs of your youth. Think about how you could enhance the service experience for youth to develop those assets and skills.

“…students want their schools to be more interesting, relevant, and hands on, service-learning projects that involve more direct involvement by students receive more support from students.” Engaged for Success, A Report by Civic Enterprises in association with Peter D. Hart Research Associates for the National Conference on Citizenship, John M. Bridgeland, John J. DiIulio, Jr, &. Stuart C. Wulsin

Final Reflections 3 important things I’ve learned are: 2 ideas or insights I would like to share with others are: 1 action I will take immediately is:

Joan Liptrot JLiptrot@igesl.org www.igesl.org