What do you see now? Lets brainstorm what you already see going on in Clintonville.

What is Service-Learning? Service-learning is an educational method that entwines the threads of experiential learning and community service. It meets educational objectives through real-world experiences, while tapping youths as resources to benefit their schools and communities. Points of Light Foundation Youth on Boards

What Service Learning is Not… An episodic volunteer program An add-on to an existing school or college curriculum Completing minimum service hours Service assigned as a form of punishment Only for high school or college students One-sided: benefiting only students or only the community Learn and Serve America

Comparisons Whats the difference? COMMUNITY SERVICESERVICE LEARNING

Four Premises about Learning Instruction does not cause learning For learning to occur, learners must see the relevance of the knowledge and the skill in their lives Knowledge is an evolving conversation with ones environment, oneself, and others Individuals create knowledge by reflecting on their past physical and mental actions and on their current knowledge, skills, and attitudes. Robert Garmston, The Adaptive School

Student Benefits Higher grade point average Higher self-esteem Higher attendance rates More goal oriented Connected to the community in a positive way Authentic enjoyment of learning Decreased behavioral issues

School Benefits Increased academic performance Improved school climate Greater community/taxpayer support Increased staff morale Engaged and motivated learners Broader strategy base for instruction – reach more learners

Community Benefits What benefits can you envision coming from service learning in our community?

Service Learning Works Carnegie Corporation Study of High School Civic Engagement (Billig, Root, & Jesse, 2005) Service-learning students had higher scores of enjoyment of school overall than comparison group peers and were significantly more likely to report intending to vote than comparison students. Surveys of Learn and Serve participants in Wisconsin (Kirkham, 2001) found that 97.9% of teachers who offer service-learning said that students learned more than what they would have learned through regular instruction. Nearly half (46.4%) reported that students' grades improved and 35.8% reported that absenteeism decreased. High school students who participated generally affirmed these findings. On a survey, 77% said that they acquired new skills, knowledge, and interests; 67% reported that they gained a broader understanding of people and places; and 62% said they had a better understanding of the community and how it works.

Colorado Learn and Serve Program (Kim & Billig, 2003; Klute, Sandel, & Billig, 2002) Results showed a statistically significant difference in connection to community, connection to school, and civic responsibility for those participating in service-learning relative to their nonparticipating peers. Impact of Service-Learning on Transitions to Adulthood (Martin, Neal, Kielsmeier, & Crossley, 2006) A nationally representative survey examined the ways in which service-learning involvement affected youths development of attributes associated with adulthood. Compared to their peers, young adults who participated in K-12 service-learning were more likely to discuss politics or community issues and vote in an election year, more politically and socially connected to their communities, both as leaders and role models, and more active members of society. Service Learning Works

Learn and Serve Wisconsin Grant Details Purpose of the grant is for capacity building and professional development. Seven schools in the county signed on with this DPI Grant. Elements of the Grant: One project at each level, evaluation, conference attendance, and school/community capacity building.

Clintonvilles Initiative Formal announcement…todays lunch Train a 2 nd wave of teachers, through grant and in- house with train-the-trainer model Be leaders among the 7 collaborating districts Formulate a District Policy supporting Service Learning as an instructional strategy that we encourage teachers to use Develop a student marketing piece – empower kids to realize their potential to make a difference Build partnerships within the community

Were going to do this right! Professional Development Continue participation in grant opportunity Train the Trainer model Standards based Curriculum standards Service Learning standards Meaningful service, link to curriculum, reflection, diversity, youth voice, partnerships, progress monitoring, duration and intensity Connect with the community Todays luncheon Chamber of Commerce – school district ambassador, communicate in newsletter Celebrations in public – print and otherwise

What could your role be?