K-12 Service-Learning: A Strategy for Rural Community Renewal and Revitalization

摘要

In response to the Corporation for National Service's interest in how servicestrengthens communities, the report includes case studies where K-12 service-learning has been used by rural schools as a strategy for community renewal and revitalization. Social and economic forces of the 21st century are confronting rural communities with a whole new set of issues and challenges. As a result, communities are in search of new strategies that will ensure a properous future and prevent further marginalization. Community development-oriented service-learning (CDOSL) is the focus of the project, an approach to service-learning that integrates service with the school curriculum and the local community development agenda. CDOSL is examined for its effectiveness as a strategy by which schools and communities can accomplish their goals together. The basic objective of the research was to locate, measure, and document the postive impacts that CDOSL has on rural students and communities. In particular, the human and social capital that students develop from service-learning experiences, and the direct contributions made by service-learning projects to community development were examined. These resources are shown to play a role in building student civic capacity and strengthening community problem-solving capacity. The project also sought to raise national awareness of the rural context of service-learning and to identify ways in which stakeholders can better support rural schools and communities who choose this strategy. Survey and case study research was conducted with 145 students, teachers, program coordinators, school adminstrators, and community leaders in eleven rural communities of the Midwest. The report summarizes survey results, case study findings, implications for students, schools, and communities, and includes recommendations for key audiences at local, state, and Federal levels.