Texas Learn and Serve Homeland Security

In 2004, the Texas Center for Service-Learning (TxCSL) awarded 2-year Homeland Security subgrants to Travis County and Harris County to plan and implement projects that featured service-learning as a strategy for enhancing disaster preparedness and community safety. This report presents data from the 2005-2006 school year. Data was collected using pre- and post-student surveys, teacher interviews, community partner interviews, subgrantee staff interviews, and student focus groups. A sample of Homeland Security programs was observed and information from subgrantee and Educational Service Center (ESC) project reports were analyzed. Constructs that were measured included school engagement; civic engagement, dispositions and skills; problem solving; conflict resolution; bully-proofing skills; emergency preparedness knowledge; feelings of school and community safety; service-learning engagement' and service-learning quality. Demographic information was also collected. (author)