Based on the assumption that all young people and their communities would benefit from students' active participation in community endeavours, some Canadian provinces and US states have included community involvement activities graduation requirement. Debates continue over whether students should be "forced" to volunteer. Ontario's…

This issue of "Service Learning Network" examines a world where teachers, students, and community members break the age barrier in service to their communities. "Images of Intergenerational Service" (Paul Simon), offers images of intergenerational service from political and personal points of view. "The Gathering of…

Educators in Springfield, Massachusetts, see connections between the current school reform agenda and their own program of Community Service Learning. Staff see the program as a way to increase student learning, enrich the curriculum, and foster the spirit of caring and lifetime service. (MLH)

Presents standards of quality for school-based service-learning, excerpted from a document developed by the Alliance for Service Learning in Education Reform. These standards are expected to evolve as the practice of high-quality, school-based service learning grows. A distinction is drawn between service-learning and community service. (SLD)

Explores community service learning as a way of revitalizing schools while integrating students into life in their communities. Service learning needs to be more than a single activity so that students see it in more than school terms. Several examples of student service projects are given. (SLD)

Asserts that the purpose of the school must be more than a celebration of individual achievement; schools should incorporate opportunities for learning that involve altruism and community participation. Describes a secondary school community service program. (CFR)

Outlines connections between community service experiences and preparing young people for participatory citizenship in a democratic society, identifying components of democratic education practices, distinguishing characteristics that promote democratic citizenship education, and describing several community service learning projects. (SLD)

Experiential education, service learning in particular, offers one pedagogy for teaching democracy. This paper presents a rationale for teaching democracy through service learning and provides general and specific guidelines for accomplishing the goal. Models of service learning are described that teachers can incorporate into classroom…

This booklet describes the relationship of service learning to the social studies and examines public policy issues as a crucial step in the service learning process. Service learning is defined and explained using the ACT (Active Citizenship Today) approach whereby students: (1) define and focus on their community; (2) research community…

A male minority-group high school student and a teacher at Putnam High School in Springfield (Massachusetts) share experiences with community service learning (CSL) projects. A project facilitator describes the plans for implementing CSL throughout the city. (SLD)

Explores why community services learning (CSL) is the right thing to do for professional renewal, enrichment, and meaning. Examples are given from Gig Harbor High School (Washington). The role of CSL in changing school cultures is also examined. Service learning is a path to better ways to educate. (SLD)

Describes community service learning (CSL) programs at Pottenger School, Springfield (Massachusetts). The kindergarten through grade-12 school, a literature-based whole-language school, integrates CSL into the curriculum through writing about student experiences. CSL projects have included feeding the homeless, corresponding with a soldier, and…

Describes the MAGIC ME program in which urban middle school students visit and form relationships with the elderly in nursing homes. The importance of meaningful long-term service is demonstrated through anecdotes of the interaction between students and older adults. MAGIC ME has a history of success in many communities. (SLD)