Inclusive Service Learning Barbara Wheeler, Ph.D. and Emily Palmer, B.S. Peer Partnership Project, USC UAP Agatha Metichecchia, M.A. LRE Coordinator, LAUSD Div. of Spec. Ed.

What is Service Learning? Service learning is a method to help students meet content standards Service learning teaches civic responsibility and social consciousness Service learning combines service objectives with learning objectives Service learning is built on teamwork National Service Learning Clearinghouse

History of Service Learning Reflective thought is an active response to the challenge of the environment (Smith, 83). Individuals learn best when they participate in the formation of the purpose that governs their activities (Nicholls, 95). All individuals can contribute to knowledge. The fundamental purpose of knowledge is to improve human welfare. Francis Bacon, Benjamin Franklin, John Dewey

History of Service Learning Intelligence develops as a result of reflective action and experience Children should be able to shape their own learning help form their curriculum reflect on the value of what is being learned Francis Bacon, Benjamin Franklin, John Dewey

Education should Encourage active participation in the community Develop real-world problem solving skills Teach children to become responsible citizens John Dewey, 1900s

Service Learning Today John Deweys ideas are reflected in servicing learning in Americas classrooms Where academic standards and active citizenship intersect Service learning is a method that can be used by an educator to teach any subject

Federal and State Support Corporation for National and Community Service Americorps Learn and Serve America Senior Corps Cal Serve

Service Learning is A form of directed, experiential learning that involves students in defining their own curriculum, and using creative problem solving skills to address chosen community issues

A community may be a school the neighborhood surrounding a school a river, mountain range, the ocean a shopping mall a city or county a prison, transportation system, a park

Who benefits from service learning? The Community benefits from a thoughtful, well-executed plan Students learn about themselves how to work in teams how to apply knowledge learned in school they can make a difference; they can begin to solve real-life problems Everybody benefits!

Basic Steps of Service Learning Identify a problem of importance Identify possible reasons/causes of the problem Develop and implement a plan of action to resolve the problem Evaluate and monitor the progress of the plan Revise plan based on discoveries and findings

Basic Steps of Service Learning Identify goals and constraints; Consider risks Generate alternatives, evaluate and choose the best alternative Organize ideas Communicate them orally to your team and to other audiences

Skills Needed and Learned Finding out what is important to you: Self-determination Finding, understanding, and interpreting written information in documents: Investigation skills Finding and interpreting information from experts and stakeholders: Investigation skills

Key Elements of Service Learning Student Voice: Communication Skills Coming up with solutions to problems through research and reflection: Problem Solving Skills Finding and interviewing informants: Building Ties to the community Asserting themselves in familiar and unfamiliar situations: Self-Advocacy

Key Elements of Service Learning Working effectively in groups Communicating effectively, to persuade and influence others, using all modalities, visual, auditory, olfactory, etc. Presenting your ideas effectively

Key Elements of Service Learning Think and reflect, Plan Think and reflect, Act Think and reflect, Modify Self- Reflection

Is service learning the same as community service? NO !

Service Learning Meets Content Standards Content Standards reflectwhat students need to know and be able to do when they graduate

Kellogg Learning in Deed Initiative Study groups in 5 states: California Maine South Carolina Minnesota Oregon

Kellogg Learning in Deed Initiative Regional Lead for LA county has been selected to facilitate the study group Linking Service Learning and Standards LA County: Michele Herczog

Service Learning Meets Content Standards Math: Collect, count, and sort canned food for Homeless Shelter History: Learn about the history of homelessness in U.S. Literacy: Read Books about Homelessness Performing Arts: Perform skits to teach others about homelessness Sciences: Learn the various diseases that plague homeless Health: Learn about the nutritional value of various foods Civics: Examine government policy toward treatment of homeless Art: Design posters for canned food drive for homeless Helping the Homeless

Service Learning and Student Outcomes Better language and reading Better test scores Better grades Homework completion improves Less likely to drop-out More involved in school

Service Learning Outcomes: Fosters Civic Responsibility Delivering Toys and Books Mehgan, Karli, Lori, and Karen deliver the toys and books collected to Childrens Hospice of Lexington

Service Learning Outcomes: Performance Assessment Service learning fosters measurement of what students understand, are capable of doing, and how students think and learn The Showcasean alternative to performance assessment

Service Learning Outcomes: Self-determination, Student-driven learning, Personal accountability Offers them control Offers an opportunity to actively participate in what they learn Helps them be more personally accountable for their education Gives them authority for what and how they learn Leads to increase motivation and participation.

Inclusive Service Learning: Where are we? Not many models for including students with IEPs in service learning unless they are fully included or RSP Teachers/school personnel dont know how to do inclusion in general, let alone with respect to service learning Parents dont know about service learning and how to ask for it in their childs IEP/ITP