Service Learning
General Service Learning Standards for Community Agencies and Schools*
- An effective service learning program engages people in responsible and challenging collaborative projects for the common good. Such projects must be related to students’ academic training.
- Service learning programs must provide structured opportunities for people to reflect critically on their service experience.
- All participants in service learning projects should be guided by clear goals.
- An effective service learning program allows for those with needs to define those needs.
- The responsibilities of each person and organization involved in a service learning project should be clearly outlined.
- An effective service learning program matches service providers and service needs through a process that recognizes changing circumstances.
- Students and host sites should share a genuine, active, and sustained commitment to the theory and goals of service learning.
- Successful service learning programs include training, supervision, monitoring, support, recognition, and evaluation to meet instructional and organizational goals.
- Successful service learning programs should insure that the time commitment for the project is flexible, appropriate, and in the best interests of all involved.
- To further enhance students’ civic responsibility, a productive service learning experience must be committed to program participation by and with diverse populations.
*Modified from:
Kendall, Jane C., et. al. Combining Service and Learning: A Resource Book for Community and Public Service. Raleigh: National Society for Internships and Experiential Education, 1990.