(Washington D.C.) - Service-learning, a method of teaching that ties the academic curriculum to community service, will be featured in a monthly television series sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education.

The show, Service-Learning: Creating Community and Developing Citizens, will be broadcast live at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, June 21, as part of the "Education News Parents Can Use" television series about ways to ensure children’s educational success. Appearing as a guest on the show, which will be shown on various local cable access channels across the country, will be Amy Cohen, Director of Learn and Serve America. (For a list of viewing options and rebroadcasts, visit http://registerevent.ed.gov/default.asp.)

"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," said U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings. "Studies have shown that students who participate in such programs demonstrate increased civic and social responsibility and improved academic achievement."  (Click here for Department of Education press release.)

The show will focus on what service-learning is, how it can help children learn, and ways to get schools engaged in service-learning. The hour-long show also will include interviews with service-learning scholar Shelley Billig of RMC Research, and Kathy Havens Payne of State Farm Insurance, a corporate sponsor of service-learning. National Service-Learning Leader School awardees L’Anse Creuse High School (MI) and Kamiakin Junior High School (WA) will be featured. The show will include clips from Service-Learning Brings Learning to Life, a new video produced by the Corporation for National and Community Service, which administers Learn and Serve America.

Service-learning has been particularly effective for students from disadvantaged backgrounds, according to Cohen. "It reaches students in new ways and having the chance to help solve real community problems gives students a reason to try harder in all their subjects. A number of studies show that service learning can help kids perform better on the academic standards," she said.

Service-learning can provide an "on-ramp" to civic engagement, according to David Eisner, CEO of the Corporation, which also oversees the national service programs AmeriCorps and Senior Corps. "Service-learning offers a way to build and strengthen communities, while involving the youngest members of those communities," Eisner said. "Those who engage in service as young people are much more likely to do it as adults."

In addition to making grants, Learn and Serve America serves as a national resource on service-learning to nonprofit groups, educational institutions, teachers, faculty members, schools, and community groups. Together with the USA Freedom Corps, the Corporation is working to build a culture of citizenship, service, and responsibility. For further information, visit www.nationalservice.gov.

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