In 2019, Policy Studies Associates conducted an evaluation of the Free Library of Philadelphia's Literacy Enrichment Afterschool Program (LEAP), focused on identifying program strategies to support early literacy development. The recommendations that emerged from this evaluation for the Free Library can also inform the efforts of other public…

Despite the transition requirements mandated by IDEA, and a growing body of research supporting effective transition planning for learners with autism spectrum disorders and intellectual disability, current national surveys of transition from school to work document dismal employment outcomes for adults with significant disabilities who frequently…

As numerous studies from 1906 on have confirmed, children lose ground in learning if they lack opportunities for building skills over the summer. Nonetheless, summer learning loss comes up but rarely in the national discussion of education reform. By the end of summer, students perform on average one month behind where they left off in the spring.…

Out-of-school time programs provide intervention and prevention services to young people who are deemed "at-risk" with the goal of improving their social, emotional, and academic development. However, research indicates that children and youth who are most "at-risk" are less likely to participate in out-of-school time programs, and do so less…

By engaging students in community service projects, action learning uses resources of the real world to give students opportunities to participate in performing tasks and making decisions that confront societal problems. Such projects should be decided on after a study of the needs of the community. After a project is selected, all relevant…

This manual describes a variety of approaches a college or university can take to support student volunteers. It summarizes 6 models of volunteer programs currently in use on campuses and describes in detail a seventh "comprehensive" model that allows the school to assist and give general direction but permits students freedom to run their own…

This report explores how the states carried out the first year implementation of AmeriCorps, the signature component of the 1993 National and Community Service Trust Act. This initial study is part of a larger study of the effectiveness of the 1993 Act. The report is based on: interviews with the staff of the Corporation for National Service,…

A guide for college and university educators who manage service-learning programs, or programs that support student involvement in the community, is presented. A systematic approach to planning and managing service-learning programs is presented, management functions for supporting a service-learning system are identified, and ideas on…

SerVermont is a volunteer program for high school students. The program stresses public service in the community and is intended to teach students the value of personal volunteer service to their local communities. During SerVermont's first year of operation, 11 high schools were awarded minigrants to be used in developing programs in which…

SerVermont is a volunteer program for high school students. The program stresses public service in the community and is intended to teach students the value of personal volunteer service to their local communities. During SerVermont's second year of operation, 15 high schools were awarded minigrants ($200 if one teacher was involved, $300 if more…

It is vital to include youth in national-service plans. Basic approaches include putting young people on the team; putting youth on the national-corporation board; getting administrators into national-service; creating youth forums; and letting young people make decisions. (SLD)

This report describes a project initiated at Westlawn Junior High School, Edmonton (Canada), in which the Community Development Office of Capital Health (CDO) worked with students using the asset-based community building approach. Focus was on the discovery, connection, and mobilization of the students' assets and gifts and connecting these with…

This paper describes a multi-year evaluation of the Extended-Service Schools (ESS) Adaptation Initiative, sharing what has been learned about opening up schools and initiating collaborative school-based programs in poor communities during hours that school is not in session. The ESS included four unique school-community collaborative models. This…

Having been involved in undergraduate and graduate student groups on four campuses, the author of this article has noticed certain characteristics commonly found in successful campus groups. These characteristics include: (1) initial and continual planning with community members; (2) active involvement by all stakeholders; and (3) evaluating the…

The guide outlines activities through which students, teachers, and administrators can initiate and implement a program providing an opportunity for parents and others in the community to visit the school and receive instruction from area experts on consumer education topics. The suggestions are based on experience at Western Illinois University…