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An easy-to-search database of hundreds of high-quality service-learning lesson plans, syllabi, and project ideas, submitted by educators and service-learning practitioners - Library
The world's largest service-learning library, with full-text and print resources - Fact sheetsExpert guides that provide a detailed discussion and an annotated list of best resources on a service-learning topic
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K-12 and CBO Service-Learning Standards for Quality Practice
In April 2008, the National Youth Leadership Council released the K-12 Service-Learning Standards for Quality Practice. These standards grew out of two related goals: 1) a desire to develop service-learning as a field in order to help leaders organize effective strategies to increase best-practices in teaching service-learning and 2) a need to update conventional wisdom about quality practice as reflected in the Essential Elements of Service-Learning. Recent research shows that while some of the essential elements predicted outcomes for service-learning participants, others did not.
The process used to set the standards involved gathering high-quality research studies in K-12 service-learning, summarizing studies from the broader field of education on related topics, and convening experts to draft the initial set of standards and indicators. Youth, teachers, school and community-based organization administrators, community members, service-learning organization members, and others were then brought together in across the United States in facilitated “reactor panels” to examine the standards and indicators in detail and “tune” them to ensure they could be implemented. Finally, the standards and indicators were mapped back onto the research to ensure alignment consistency of language.
Read the complete list of standards and indicators at Standards and Indicators for Effective Service-Learning Practice.
Understand the supporting theory and research
- Improving Outcomes for K-12 Service-Learning Participants (NSLC Fact Sheet)
- K-12 Service-Learning Standards for Quality Practice: An Annotated Bibliography (2008), RMC Research Corporation and the National Youth Leadership Council (PDF)
- Toward Research-Based Standards for K-12 Service-Learning (2008), Wokie Weah (PDF)
- Unpacking What Works in Service-Learning: Promising Research-Based Practices to Improve Student Outcomes (2008), Shelley H. Billig (PDF)
- What Does Field-Building Mean for Service-Learning Advocates? (2001), Melinda Fine (PDF)
- An Investment Prospectus: Strengthening Education and Democracy through Service-Learning (2005), Cynthia Gibson (PDF)
See the standards in practice
- My Water, Your Water, Our Water (SLICE)
- The Role of Parks and Open Spaces in Society (SLICE)
- School-Wide Recycling (SLICE)
- Not Forgotten (SLICE)
- EarthEcho's Water Planet Challenge
- YSA’s Go To Service-Learning
Use the K-12 Service-Learning Standards
- High Quality Instruction That Transforms: A Guide to Implementing Quality Academic Service-Learning (2010), Teri Dary, Betsy Prueter, Jane Grinde, Richard Grobschmidt, and Tony Evers (PDF)
- Service-Learning in Community-Based Organizations: A Practical Guide to Starting and Sustaining High-Quality Programs (2009), Eugene C. Roehlkepartain (PDF)
- Semester of Service Strategy Guide (2012), Youth Service America (PDF)
- Lift: Raising the Bar for Quality Practice, National Youth Leadership Council
Dig deeper with each standard
- Meaningful Service
- Link to Curriculum
- Reflection
- Diversity
- Youth Voice
- Partnerships
- Progress Monitoring
- Duration and Intensity
