More Information

Download the KCESC Learn and Serve Ohio Grant Application here.

Download the Data collection form for your own Learn and Serve projects here.

Find examples of Quality Service Learning Projects here.

Last update: 7.15.09

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The Service-Learning Partnership

enriching education strengthening community

Just what is service-learning? It’s middle-schoolers delving into “Real History, Real Heroes” by conducting oral histories with veterans. It’s at-risk students creating scarves and hats for needy children-and learning about decision making and other social skills along the way. And it’s special education students researching Ohio birds and honing scientific and math skills while providing a real service-building bird houses and planting these houses along the Kokosing Trail.

These successful, creative programs-and thousands of equally inspiring ones across the country-are examples of school-based service-learning opportunities that blend community service with classroom curriculum goals. The Knox County Educational Service Center has been awarded a Learn and Serve America Grant and is proud to offer financial and training support for service-learning in Knox County.

Nationally, students do well when they do “good”. Service-learning leads to:

  • Higher academic achievement. In one, Springfield, Massachusetts high school, it helped the honor-roll ranks grow by 350% and the dropout rate decreased by 80%.
  • Significant improvement in school “climate” and students’ personal and social development according to 9 out of 10 principals in schools with service-learning.
  • Even greater positive influence in schools serving mostly low-income students.
  • Boosted leadership ability, appreciation of diversity, dedication to civic causes, self-esteem and so much more.
Service-learning works optimally when local students help meet a genuine civic need. Last year, Knox County Alternative Center students started a bicycle repair shop. After repairing and painting used bicycles, these students presented the bicycles to children of low income families in the community.

Like flowers, children take root and bloom in service-learning programs. To further explore service-learning, contact Cynthia Stuart at the KCESC.