Marana Middle School in Tucson, Ariz., scrapped its traditional P.E. program that emphasized team sports and shifted to a program that focuses on lifetime fitness, student choice in activities, and nutrition and health education. The program also includes student leadership development and informal community service. As a result, Marana students…

According to this author, when it comes to data-based decision making, many educators are looking in the wrong place. This is one reason why this potentially powerful practice has too often under-delivered. Many schools rush headlong into analyzing data without considering if the data they are reviewing is worth the effort, if other data might…

Cross-generational learning teams that bring together novice teachers with veteran teachers would address problems at both ends of the teacher pipeline--and benefit student learning at the same time. In this cross-generational learning team, each member brings different skills to support a child's learning--some bring deep science content…

Language and cultural differences often cause English as a second language (ESL) students to feel alienated from their school and their community. As a result, they tend to make friends primarily within their own ESL classes and avoid interacting with mainstream students and getting involved in school activities. This article describes how…

The Make a Difference model transforms community service from free labor and low-level tasks to efforts yielding genuine community improvement and enhanced academic performance. Students study the organization they work for and/or the chosen problem. California middle-school students conducted interviews, located primary sources, and created a…

The American Youth Policy Forum event -- one of three in a series -- focused on the research justification for integrating community service and civic education with academic goals. The evidence is there; these initiatives do enhance academic learning. But speaking in the August hearing room of the U.S. House of Representatives, most of the…

The "missionary ideology" underlying much of the service- learning movement results from decisions to "do good things" for others. However, this movement sometimes ignores recipients' voices and what they, particularly communities of color, might have to offer. Reciprocal learning and working with others are essential. (MLH)

Work-based learning is a way to increase students' engagement in learning and prepare them for employment. Inspired by the apprenticeship concept, the 1994 School-to-Work Opportunities Act supports other types of work-based learning, including visits to workplaces, work-like experiences, and employment. Article notes youth apprenticeship…

Briscoe's article explains how PennServe, Pennsylvania's youth service program, converts young people from a problem to a community resource of which to be proud. Silcox explains various facets of a Philadelphia high school's PennServe program and shows how school-based service has changed attitudes, values, and relationships and enlivened…

In reaffirming "The Declaration of Principles" from a 1995 meeting, the Corporation for National Service and the U.S. Department of Education have pledged their commitment to service as a means of improving schools, enhancing student achievement, and meeting citizenship challenges. Programs exemplifying six service-learning principles…

In June 1992, 26 high school students and environmentalists left United States to participate in community service/experimental learning environmental project in Russia. Focus was environmental monitoring of Novgorod, Russia. Both U.S. and Russian students gained in scientific knowledge; Russian teens felt more empowered about community service.…

Three years ago, a coalition of three Washington State districts, Peninsula, Tacoma, and Issaquah, began cooperating to help one another implement programs and policies fostering a service ethic. This article describes each district's progress at implementing its Project Service Leadership program. (MLH)

Teenagers enjoy being involved in community service; all we have to do is ask and provide the opportunity. The 101st Congress passed the National and Community Service Act of 1990, which will fund programs enabling students from kindergarten through college to serve their communities. A sidebar lists national resources for service-learning in…

An innovative intergenerational program in Miami-Dade County (Florida) Public Schools trains adolescents to teach senior citizens about fire safety at an adult education center. Kids enjoy their relationships with "second grandparents" while imparting valuable information and translating safety checklists into Spanish. (MLH)

Students often participate in service learning because it looks good on college applications or is a natural outcome of their church or club activities. If they stumble into careers of service later, it is usually an afterthought, not part of a planned path. Considering the social, environmental, and economic equity issues that today's students…