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Service-Learning: Creating Community and Developing Citizens - Tuesday, June 21, 2005
Time: 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM ET
“[T]hese organizations promote the spirit of community and help us acquire the ‘habits of heart’ that are so vital to a free society. And because one of the deepest values of our country is compassion, we must never turn away from any citizen who feels isolated from the opportunities of America.”
—President George W. Bush, Calvin College Commencement, Grand Rapids, Mich., May 21, 2005
As a nation we want and expect our young people to grow up to be responsible citizens and good people. To reach this goal, students must learn citizenship, compassion and service throughout their educational careers. One of the most powerful ways to instill these principles is through a strategy called service-learning.
Service-learning connects the classroom to the real world by integrating meaningful community service with the academic curriculum. These programs develop habits that are essential to civic life and encourage students to put their knowledge and ideas into practice to help solve real community problems.
We know that to have a meaningful, long-lasting effect on student performance or citizenship, service-learning must engage students for a significant duration, expect them to interact with people and not work in isolation, require them to reflect on their work, and benefit both the organizations and the students involved. As a result, through service-learning, students have unique opportunities to learn the value of teamwork and build critical thinking skills while completing service projects in areas such as education, public safety and the environment. Studies have shown that students who participate in such programs demonstrate increased civic and social responsibility and improved academic achievement.
The June broadcast of EDUCATION NEWS will provide parents information on service-learning and will share resources to help them to help their children to become engaged citizens. Researchers, educators and community partners will address questions such as:
- What do meaningful, comprehensive service-learning programs look like?
- What is the latest research on service-learning programs and how can citizenship be effectively taught in schools?
- How can service-learning be a strategy for advancing academic achievement, especially with disadvantaged or at-risk students?
- How can community organizations become partners with schools in ways that reinforce the curriculum and also teach compassion and democratic action?
- Where can you find information on school, community and faith-based organizations dedicated to advancing President Bush’s goals of volunteerism and service to country?
- What can parents do at home and in their communities to help their children develop strong character and become good citizens with a life-long commitment to helping those in need?
Web Cast
To view live web casts of Education News or archived webcasts of past programs please visit
www.connectlive.com/events/ednews/
Disclaimer
Permission: Teleconferences produced by the U.S. Department of Education are in the public domain. Use, duplication, and distribution are free and unrestricted. Thank You !
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