Connecticut
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History
From the mid-1990s until 2000, Connecticut Learn and Serve had a full-time coordinator at the State Department of Education. During this time, the state built a strong service-learning presence. Though budget cuts forced a reduction in state staffing for the program in 2000, strong state, regional, and local leaders have carried the initiative forward.
Networks of Support
Learn and Serve collaborates with Character Education and Safe and Drug-Free Schools programs to offer a statewide conference including presentations on service-learning by youths as well as adults. Extra points are granted to 21st Century Community Schools applicants incorporating service-learning into their plans. At least one-third feature service-learning in one or more of the enrichment or recreation programs required, in addition to the academic components of the 21st Century Schools after-school programs. Staff development for all grantees includes service-learning fundamentals.
Several EASTCONN staff participated in professional development that infuses service-learning across a wide range of education initiatives. The Joy of Reading program engages students in boosting literacy; Creating Community Builders develops student awareness about their watershed to share with the community; and students learn about making good decisions and taking a stand against bullying in the Character of the Characters project. Teachers from across the state present at the annual state conference and attend regional workshops.
EASTCONN surveys students to determine their growth in civic and character skills. Questions to students include: What have I done well? What is my responsibility? What could others have done? What could I have done to help them do better?
Improving Sustainability
For nine years, Donna Drasch, staff development specialist of EASTCONN Regional Educational Service Center, has helped teachers build strong service-learning programs integrated into the curriculum. Northeast Connecticut is a diverse mix of inner cities, wealthy towns, and poor rural communities. Helping isolated rural students connect to their communities is a priority. Accordingly, transportation takes a large share of grant funds.
Drasch links teachers to experts in their field from the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection, University of Connecticut Cooperative Extension Service, American Red Cross, Special Olympics, Connecticut Audubon, soup kitchens, churches, and other business and community organizations. She also helps students explore historical, environmental, and social experiences through experiential learning activities, classroom lessons, and field experiences. Using picture books and other quality literature, students delve deeper into issues of respect, responsibility, cooperation, conflict, and social justice to discover their own voices based on beliefs, opinions, perceptions, and background knowledge while appreciating the voices of their peers. Wikis and blogs were added to a number of projects, connecting students’ use of technology to communicate, collaborate, and gain a more global perspective about issues.
Policy Support
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Learn and Serve
Strong state, regional, and local leaders carried Connecticut Learn and Serve forward after a staff reduction in 2000. The Connecticut Learn and Serve coordinator, a state-level staff development specialist, brings service-learning into other state initiatives and links programs through her membership on the Connecticut Commission on National and Community Service.
Connecticut’s five Learn and Serve grantees range from small towns to the EASTCONN Regional Educational Service Center, which serves 36 towns in the northeast quarter of the state. Each grant program, uniquely designed to address the needs of its students and community, participates in a day of staff development four times a year. The program evaluator conducts yearly site visits and is available to help assess progress and develop strategies for improvement.
Supported in part by its Learn and Serve grant, the School for Ethical Education began a youth philanthropy board in the New Haven County schools. The board provides training and experience for high school students, distributing service-learning mini-grants to middle schools and high schools.
Examples of Quality Service-Learning
Youth Contributions
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References
- Cairn, Rich, Neal, Marybeth, and Crossley, Alison. 2006. "State Profiles" in Growing to Greatness 2006. St. Paul: National Youth Leadership Council.
- Schultz, Nate. 2008. "State Profiles" in Growing to Greatness 2008. St. Paul: National Youth Leadership Council.
External Links
- Learn and Serve America in Connecticut
- National Service in Connecticut (Corporation for National and Community Service)
- Serve Connecticut/Connecticut Commission on Community Service
- Connecticut Campus Compact
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