The U.S. Department of Education's monthly TV show and webcast "Education News Parents Can Use," airing Tuesday, June 21 at 8 p.m. EDT, will profile the emerging strategy of service-learning, considered to be a powerful way to instill in students the principles of citizenship, compassion and service while they apply their academic skills, knowledge and interests to benefit their communities.

A number of cable outlets across the nation will carry the program. A complete listing is posted at http://www.ed.gov/news/av/video/edtv/ways-watch.html. In addition, the program will be webcast at www.connectlive.com/events/ednews/.

"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."

Among the topics the show, titled, "Service Learning: Creating Community & Developing Citizens," will cover include:

• What do meaningful, comprehensive service-learning programs look like?
• What's 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?
• What can parents do at home and in their communities to help their children develop strong characters and become good citizens with a lifelong commitment to helping those in need?

Featured in the program will be L'Anse Creuse High School in Macomb, Mich., where the school district's students have contributed more than 400,000 hours of community service in the past decade.

Ann Hart, L'Anse Creuse's community service director, will discuss her school's 40-hour community service graduation requirement enhanced by a service-learning curriculum that is linked to the state's education standards and benchmarks.

Another segment will spotlight Kamiakin Junior High in Kirkland, Wash., where community service is an integral part of the organizational structure. Matt Breysse, program coordinator, will describe the program's benefits for students.

Among the other guests will be Amy Cohen, director of Learn and Serve America; Theresa King, parent-teacher leader with the Philadelphia schools; Shelley Billig, vice president of RMC Research; Kathy Payne, assistant director of Community Alliances with State Farm Insurance; and Susan Abravanel, education director of the SOLV organization in Hillsboro, Ore., The program will also feature a special discussion with student leaders.

Details about the "Education News Parents Can Use" TV series can be found at http://www.ed.gov/news/av/video/edtv/index.html.

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