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Inclusive Service Learning
Barbara Wheeler, Ph.D. and Emily Palmer, B.S.
Peer Partnership Project, USC UAP
Agatha Metichecchia, M.A.
LRE Coordinator, LAUSD Div. of Spec. Ed.
What is Service Learning? Service learning is a method to help
students meet content standards Service learning teaches civic responsibility
and social consciousness Service learning combines service
objectives with learning objectives Service learning is built on teamwork
National Service Learning Clearinghouse
History of Service Learning
“Reflective thought is an active response to the challenge of the environment” (Smith, 83).
Individuals learn best when they participate “in the formation of the purpose that governs their activities” (Nicholls, 95).
All individuals can contribute to knowledge. The fundamental purpose of knowledge is to
improve human welfare.
Francis Bacon, Benjamin Franklin, John Dewey
History of Service Learning
Intelligence develops as a result of reflective action and experience
Children should be able toshape their own learninghelp form their curriculumreflect on the value of what is being
learnedFrancis Bacon, Benjamin Franklin, John Dewey
Education should
Encourage active participation in the community
Develop real-world problem solving skills
Teach children to become responsible citizens
John Dewey, 1900s
Service Learning Today
John Dewey’s ideas are reflected in servicing learning in America’s classrooms
Where academic standards and active citizenship intersect
Service learning is a method that can be used by an educator to teach any subject
Federal and State Support
Corporation for National and Community Service
Americorps Learn and Serve America
Senior Corps
Cal Serve
Service Learning is
A form of directed, experiential learning that involves students in defining their own curriculum, and using creative problem solving skills to address chosen community issues
A community may be
a school the neighborhood
surrounding a school a river, mountain range,
the ocean a shopping mall a city or county a prison, transportation
system, a park
Who benefits from service learning?The Community benefits
from a thoughtful, well-executed planStudents learn
about themselveshow to work in teamshow to apply knowledge learned in schoolthey can make a difference; they can begin
to solve real-life problemsEverybody benefits!
Basic Steps of Service Learning Identify a problem of importance Identify possible reasons/causes of the
problemDevelop and implement a plan of action to
resolve the problemEvaluate and monitor the progress of the
planRevise plan based on discoveries and
findings
Basic Steps of Service LearningIdentify goals and constraints;
Consider risksGenerate alternatives, evaluate and
choose the best alternativeOrganize ideasCommunicate them orally to your
team and to other audiences
Skills Needed and Learned
Finding out what is important to you: Self-determination
Finding, understanding, and interpreting written information in documents: Investigation skills
Finding and interpreting information from “experts” and “stakeholders”: Investigation skills
Key Elements of Service Learning
Student Voice: Communication SkillsComing up with solutions to problems
through research and reflection: Problem Solving Skills
Finding and interviewing informants: Building Ties to the community
Asserting themselves in familiar and unfamiliar situations: Self-Advocacy
Key Elements of Service Learning
Working effectively in groupsCommunicating effectively, to
persuade and influence others, using all modalities, visual, auditory, olfactory, etc.
Presenting your ideas effectively
Key Elements of Service Learning
Think and reflect, Plan
Think and reflect, Act
Think and reflect, Modify
Self- Reflection
Is service learning the same as community service?
NO !NO !
Service Learning Meets Content Standards
Content Standards reflect “what students need to know and be able to do when they graduate”
Kellogg “Learning in Deed” Initiative
Study groups in 5 states:CaliforniaMaineSouth CarolinaMinnesotaOregon
Kellogg Learning in Deed Initiative
Regional Lead for LA county has been selected to facilitate the study group “Linking Service Learning and Standards”
LA County: Michele Herczog
www.lacoe.edu
Service Learning Meets Content Standards
Math: Collect, count, and sort canned food for
Homeless Shelter
History: Learn about the history of
homelessness in U.S.
Literacy: Read Books about
Homelessness
Performing Arts: Perform skits to
teach others about homelessness
Sciences: Learn the various
diseases that plague homeless
Health: Learn about the nutritional value
of various foods
Civics: Examine government policy toward treatment of
homeless Art: Design posters for canned food
drive for homeless
Helping the Homeless
Service Learning and Student Outcomes
Better language and reading
Better test scoresBetter gradesHomework completion
improvesLess likely to drop-outMore involved in school
Service Learning Outcomes: Fosters Civic Responsibility
Delivering Toys and Books
Mehgan, Karli, Lori, and Karen deliver the toys and books collected to Children’s Hospice of Lexington
Service Learning Outcomes: Performance Assessment
•Service learning fosters measurement of what students understand, are capable of doing, and how students think and learn
•The Showcase—an alternative to performance assessment
Service Learning Outcomes:Self-determination, Student-driven learning, Personal accountability
Offers them control Offers an opportunity to actively
participate in what they learn Helps them be more personally
accountable for their education Gives them authority for what and how
they learn Leads to increase motivation and
participation.
Inclusive Service Learning:Where are we?
Not many models for including students with IEPs in service learning unless they are fully included or RSP
Teachers/school personnel don’t know how to do inclusion in general, let alone with respect to service learning
Parents don’t know about service learning and how to ask for it in their child’s IEP/ITP
