Spread the word about the significance of service-learning as a mechanism of school improvement. Help people understand the differences between service learning and community service.
Develop opportunities for service learning within your school, business or organization. For example, students can do research or studies, develop community outreach materials, or address community and school concerns.
A hospital in Tacoma, Washington is partnered with a high school. The hospital's physical therapist sent a video tape of an eighteen-month old child with multiple sclerosis to the Industrial Design class. The students built a wheel chair which was mobile and had the capacity to grow. Through this project, students applied technical knowledge and problem solving skills. In addition, the students and the teacher felt great joy as they saw the smiles of gratitude from this child and his parents.
Tree Top has involved students in doing research on certain fungi that affect the fruit crop. In exchange, the company is providing the science class with the latest technologies. Students are doing research which benefits the community and have a greater commitment to quality control for they know it will actually impact the local economy and local farming practices.
E.P.A. has partnered with a number of school districts, providing them with some funds to involve students in collecting data on significant environmental issues such as wetlands preservation and air particulates. Students in the science classes are beginning to between what they are learning about chemistry and biology as they apply it to local environmental issues. At the same time, EPA has exponentially expanded their "workforce", collecting more valuable data for policy making. At the same time, EPA is helping to engender an ethic of environmental stewardship.
Seattle City Light contracted with a high school drama department to develop their district-wide energy conservation assemblies. The students produced a top quality production and students were involved in all phases of the program-dramatics, lighting, design and performance management. The evaluations indicated that these assemblies were even more engaging than the previous programs because the high school students had more natural rapport with the elementary audience and were willing to takes risks.
When one develops such partnerships, one does have to be careful about displacement issues and make sure that any opportunity that is opened up to high school students, does not displace an existing worker.
Help school develop thoughtful service learning curriculum. Encourage your school site council to explore if service learning can enhance its school improvement efforts.
Provide opportunities for youth to serve on boards, site councils, program planning or
appropriations groups. (Provide needed training for youth and adults)
Incorporate service-learning opportunities into your school partnerships.
Reward or recognize students, employees or members who provide service.
In Skagit County, the Rotary Clubs co-sponsored a county-wide recognition event. Students who have taken the time to make their school or community a better place are honored. Dominoes Pizza provides pizza, a beverage distributor provides the beverage and the Rotary Clubs underwrite the costs of the program and guest speakers. Your company could provide similar awards of recognition to students in your school partner.
Encourage youth to participate with your employees or members on service projects or involve your employees as service mentors for youth service-learning projects.
Companies like Windermere Realty, which have an interest in providing housing for the homeless, could encourage family members or youth to join them on the days when they help rehab houses.
Explain to students how your organization serves the larger community through contributions, sponsorships, direct service and special projects.
Put the power behind your commitment to authentic learning by including community service-learning experiences in your job applications and interviews. Include Community Involvement in Your Job Application Process. If you hire young people, ask them to include a description of their volunteer or service experiences in the job application. This lets young people know that you value service
Illustrate How Service is a Part of Your Corporate Culture. As a part of any site visitations or career fairs, your employees could explain the purpose of your business. They can include a description of how your business is involved in making the community a better place.
Why does your company have a commitment to helping schools become better?
How are employees encouraged to volunteer? Is service an important criteria in the hiring process or salary review? How does your business contribute financially or with other kinds of resources to local community agencies or organizations?
Are your members encouraged to take time from their work to participate in service clubs such as Kiwanis or Rotary? If so, why is this viewed as an important part of your business?
Provide funds to support Good Student Projects. Several businesses have initiated a mini-grant program for teachers. Some have extended their program to invite students to develop creative ways of addressing school or community concerns. Quite often they develop more effective and more economical solutions than adults. In Pittsburgh, The Nestle Company has supported students in addressing local issues. Students must identify a significant need and develop a plan of action which is presented to a review board which approves funding.
Business should not only be the recipient of talented players but they might serve as a coach, providing opportunities for students to practice and develop their skills on their playing fields.
- Mike Bookey, DNA Corporation job.
Thus the crisis of education is not so much the failure of teaching in the classroom but the failure of the community at large to capture the imagination, involvement, an active enthusiasm of young people. As the role of the teacher changes from instructor to facilitator and mentor, so the community will simultaneously need to come forward in ways that are so old as to be brand new.
- John Abbott
Faculty • Students • Community • Publications
Culminating Projects • PeaceJam
Northwest