Maximizing Civic Commitment Through Service-Learning: Case Studies of Effective High School Classrooms

Civic engagement among high school students is particularly low and very challenging. For democracy to thrive, it is important for young people to form a social contract in which they feel responsible for the future and committed to civic participation. This chapter describes 2 case studies of high school classrooms where civic engagement was particularly strong. Students in these classrooms participated in high quality service-learning projects that were tightly connected to meeting community needs and in which students had significant discretion in choosing projects. Students engaged in research, action, and advocacy that resulted in acquisition of civic knowledge, skills, and dispositions at levels higher than their nonparticipating peers. The studies describe the service-learning approach and activities, and participants' perceived attributes of effectiveness. [authors]