State Superintendent's Web Message Archive

Service-learning is a teaching and learning strategy that integrates meaningful community service with instruction and reflection to enrich the learning experience, teach civic responsibility, and strengthen communities.

--Learn and Serve America's
National Service-Learning Clearinghouse

Service-learning: an educational tool for all students

This winter, Wisconsin held its fifth annual Institute on Service-Learning and Citizenship. The event brought together teachers, students, higher education faculty, AmeriCorps and VISTA members, administrators, policy makers, and community leaders to focus on student and civic engagement through service-learning.

During the Institute, we recognized Jack Keating, Wisconsin Campus Compact president and UW-Parkside Chancellor, for his four decades of commitment to community outreach and community service. We also recognized teachers, administrators, and schools for service-learning efforts that are giving students a voice and keeping them engaged in their communities and their own education. We celebrated the belief that the active involvement of ordinary citizens will make our world a better place.

The success of our democracy depends on an educated citizenry and never before has the civic mission of public education in our democracy been more important. American's with school-age children are just one-third of the population, meaning schools must reach beyond parents to be part of their community. Service-learning meshes classroom learning objectives with service to meet real social needs. Schools are strengthened and gain public support when they collaborate with their community. This collaboration helps them provide our students the resources, knowledge, and skills to be engaged citizens.

Service-learning knows no boundaries. Regardless of income or academic ability, language learning or disability, all students can be meaningfully involved in service-learning. It provides students authentic, hands-on involvement that teaches them what it means to be productive, contributing citizens of a democracy. If we can continue to bring relevance to the academic, social, and emotional learning of our students, we will empower them to go farther, not only for themselves, but also for the good of their community, Wisconsin, the nation, and the world. We are truly living in a global society, and the experiences of service-learning will help all of our students contribute to the good of all.

More information about State Superintendent Service-Learning Awards presented at the Institute on Service-Learning and Citizenship is available in the complete news release.

February 26, 2008 -- Return to message archive index

For questions about this information, contact Debra A. Bougie (608) 266-1598

Last updated on 2/26/2008 11:18:13 AM