Service Learning in an Age of Standards

With evidence suggesting that service learning helps students acquire academic skills, knowledge gains on student achievement tests, and improved grade-point averages improved. Middle and high school students who tutored younger children as a part of their service learning programs increased their own grade-point averages and test scores and were less likely to drop out. Those who have wagered substantial political and financial capital on the standards are beginning to wonder where their state will find the tools that local schools and districts can use to achieve standards. Given the growing research base on service learning, it could well become seen as a viable tool by policy leaders. This article stresses the importance on the method of assessment of service-learning programs as an indicator of its success.