An easy-to-search database of hundreds of high-quality service-learning lesson plans, syllabi, and project ideas, submitted by educators and service-learning practitioners
The world's largest service-learning library, with full-text and print resources
Source: National Service-Learning Clearinghouse, 2002.
Online Resources | In the NSLC Library | Effect of Service-Learning on Participant Attitudes | Statistics on Service-Learning
On the NSLC Website
NSLC Fact Sheet: Evidence Base for Service-Learning (NSLC Website)
General Statistics about service-learning on the National Service-Learning Clearinghouse website, based on NCES and Campus Compact data (NSLC Website)
General Evidence
Service-Learning: A Growing Trend in America's Schools (Learning In Deed)
(See page 3 for "Impact of Service-Learning") http://www.learningindeed.org/policy/hilldaym.PDF
Perceptions of Service Learning and How to Respond (Learning In Deed)
(See page 4 for "Benefits of Service-Learning") http://www.learningindeed.org/tools/other/Perception.pdf
Closing the Achievement Gap: Using the Environment as an Integrating Context for Learning (State Education and Environment Roundtable)
http://www.seer.org/pages/overview.htm
This report, prepared by the State Education and Environment Roundtable, reviews the importance of contextual learning in student achievement. It presents the results of a nationwide study.
K-12 Only
The State Education Agency K-12 Service-Learning Network (SEANET)
http://seanetonline.org/
Information about number of students, public schools with service-learning, rates of increase and more.
The National Center for Education Statistics http://nces.ed.gov/
A government entity that collects and disburses education data in the United States. The following NCES publications concern service-learning.
- Service-Learning and Community Service among 6th- through 12th Grade Students in the United States: 1996 and 1999
http://nces.ed.gov/pubsearch/pubsinfo.asp?pubid=2000028 - Percent of public schools with service-learning, by instructional level and mandatory or voluntary student participation: Academic year 1998-99
http://nces.ed.gov/quicktables/Detail.asp?Key=203%20 - Condition of Education in 2001: Participation of Grades 6-12 in Community Service
http://nces.ed.gov/pubs2001/2001072_2.pdf - Of public schools with service-learning, percent implementing service-learning in various ways, by instructional level: Academic year 1998-99
http://nces.ed.gov/quicktables/Detail.asp?Key=202 - Service-Learning and Community Service in K-12 Public Schools: The National Student Service-Learning and Community Service Survey in spring 1999 (PDF)
http://nces.ed.gov/pubs99/1999043.pdf
This is the first survey to provide reliable national estimates of the percentage of public elementary, middle, and high schools incorporating service-learning into course curriculum. It also reports data on school engagement in community service.
This survey was also published in:
Skinner, R., & Chapman, C. (1999). Service-learning and community service in k-12 public schools. Statistics in Brief. Education Statistics Quarterly, 1(4): 51-59.
Polls and Testimonials
Learning In Deed's summary of a poll of 1000 adults' attitudes about youth, education, and the implementation of service-learning into the curriculum. Specific statistics are cited. The poll suggests the public is supportive of service-learning.
http://www.learningindeed.org/tools/other/sldelvrs.pdf
Quotes about Service-Learning (Learning In Deed)
http://www.learningindeed.org/tools/quotes.html
State-Specific K-12
A Profile of Service Learning in Iowa (Iowa Department of Education)
http://www.iowa.gov/educate/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=1598
A survey conducted in 2000.
Florida Learn & Serve 1997-98 Outcomes and Correlations with 1994-95, 1995-96, and 1996-97
http://www.fsu.edu/~flserve/resources/outcome.pdf
National Dropout Prevention Center/Network
Final reports required sub-grantees to indicate clear, positive trends in the attendance, conduct, and grades of participants, especially at-risk students.
Billig, S. (2000). Research on k-12 school-based service-learning: The evidence builds. Phi Delta Kappan, May 2000, 658-664.
Abstract: This article is an annotated bibliography of research on service-learning. Findings are listed, research is cited, and Billig puts the research in perspective.
Billig, S. (2000). The effects of service learning. School Administrator, 57(7): 14-18.
Blyth, D.A., Satino, R., & Berkas, T. (1997). A quantitative study of the impact of service learning programs (39-56). In Alan S. Waterman (Ed.), Service Learning: Applications from the Research. NYLC Press.
Melchior, A. (1999). Learn and Serve America: Findings from the national evaluation. Brandeis University.
Abstract: This presentation was given at the National Service-Learning Conference on April 19, 1999. It highlights the findings from the National evaluation on Learn and Serve America completed by Brandeis University.
Minnesota Department of Children, Families, and Learning. (1999). Motivation and academic results through service learning.
Abstract: This statewide conference addressed issues of concern to novices as well as seasoned practitioners of service-learning. Packet includes program and handouts from the following sessions: Youth Service MiniGrants; Service-Learning Policy, Practice, and Assessment; Teaching Children to Care; and Service-Learning and Teacher Preparation.
Shumer, R., & Cook, C. (1999). The status of service-learning in the United States: Some facts and figures.
Abstract: This report focuses on service and service-learning in high schools. The report compares data from 1984 research with information from two studies of service and service-learning completed in 1997. The data suggest that community service and service-learning in 1984 was available in slightly more than one-quarter of all high schools (primarily to white students), and course-related programs (service-learning) occurred in only about 10% of all schools. The 1997 data indicate that the number of high school students involved in service-related programs has increased 686%; and the number of high school students involved in service-learning has increased 3,663%. Click here to view full text online.
Steinke, P., & Buresh, S. (2002). Cognitive outcomes of service-learning: Reviewing the past and glimpsing the future. Michigan Journal of Community Service Learning, 8(2), 5-14.
Abstract: This article critically reviews the research literature on cognitive outcomes of service-learning over the past decade with an emphasis on how convincing the results are to faculty. Self-report measures produce the most consistent positive findings yet are one of the least persuasive measures to faculty. The use of problem-solving protocols shows promise in measuring both student knowledge and the complexity of student thinking but needs further development. Recent work in the learning sciences provides direction for future outcome research and suggests how service-learning will help to transform education.
Effect of Service-Learning on Participant Attitudes
National evaluation of Learn and Serve America summary report. Retrieved from http://www.servicelearning.org/filemanager/download/26/LSReport.pdf
Reports attitudes, academics, and skills survey results.
Furco, & Billig. (2002). Service-learning: The essence of the pedagogy. The chapters by Andy Furco and by Alan Melchior and Larry Bailis address how service-learning effects attitudes.
