Growing to Greatness 2009: The State of the Service-Learning Project

This volume of Growing to Greatness focuses on what research shows about high-quality service-learning practice, tries to build a comprehensive framework for that quality practice, looks at how service-learning is institutionalized and sustained, approaches new ways of measuring the scope, scale, and impact of service-learning by reporting on educational policies that support service-learning, gathers data on how it's funded, invests its reach into the nation's K-12 schools and community organizations. Particular attention is paid to the capacity of students to contribute to their families, schools, and communities through service-learning, as well as the responsibility of adults, teachers, and leaders to bring these assets to their fullest potential. With these thoughts in mind, this report focuses on three strands: indicators of youth contribution, community service, and service-learning; Urban Matters: Service-Learning as a Strategy for Improving City Schools; and State Service-Learning Policy Profiles.