Illinois

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Contents

History

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Networks of Support

There have been many other steps to develop a statewide infrastructure for service-learning. Beginning in 2001, the Illinois Department of Education and Illinois Campus Compact jointly organized the state’s annual service-learning conference. In March 2004, Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn launched the Cesar Chavez Day of Service and Learning initiative. The state math and science teachers associations emphasize service-learning workshops. 2004 Illinois Teacher of the Year Deb Perryman from Elgin has traveled across Illinois with the Governor and on her own to promote service-learning. Learn and Serve has also worked closely with the Illinois Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service and the Illinois Office of the Corporation for National and Community Service to promote all streams of service.

A Service-Learning Advisory Council provides guidance on best practices to the Lieutenant Governor and Board of Education as they shape policy. The council has been instrumental in promoting service-learning as a strategy for civic engagement.

Convening and Celebrating

The Illinois Resource Center organizes the annual Illinois Statewide K-16 Service-Learning Conference in conjunction with the Office of the Lieutenant Governor, the Illinois State Board of Education, and Illinois Campus Compact. The event draws 250 participants — including young people — each year. Support through Policy

Evaluating Progress

In 1996-97, Illinois conducted a statewide valuation of 91 local and one regional Learn and Serve projects. The study found that two of five approaches to service-learning resulted in greater impact on academic achievement. Both approaches focused on linking service-learning to the curriculum. Most projects emphasized parent and community involvement and occurred in grades 6-8.

Policy Support

In December 2004 the Illinois Board of Education approved statewide Social and Emotional Learning Standards that support service-learning efforts. These standards focus on helping students “develop awareness and management of their emotions, set and achieve important personal and academic goals, use social-awareness and interpersonal skills to establish and maintain positive relationships, and demonstrate decision making and responsible behaviors to achieve school and life success” (Illinois State Board of Education 2004a). There are three larger goals along with standards for meeting each goal. One goal is that students will “[d]emonstrate decision-making skills and responsible behaviors in personal, school, and community contexts” (Illinois State Board of Education 2004b). High quality service-learning, which includes youth voice in a process that meets authentic community needs, is a powerful method for meeting this goal.

In 2003 the incoming Governor Rod Blagojevich proposed legislation mandating a state service-learning graduation requirement intended to take effect for students entering high school in 2006. The measure did not pass. In 2006 the state legislature passed and the governor signed the Community Education Act, intending to provide incentives for schools to involve students in service to their communities. The Act establishes the Community Service Education Program, administered by the state Board of Education, through which districts can receive grants for their community service programs. This act has not yet been funded.

Chicago Public Schools

Starting with the class of 2001, all graduates of Chicago Public School are required to complete 40 hours of community service. In 2004, the Chicago Public schools required completion of half of these hours in 9th and 10th grade, with no more than 20 hours served at the school site. In addition, the Chief Education Officer of the Chicago Public schools directed educators to focus service done at the school site on curricular goals. Each school has at least one trained service-learning coach responsible for developing project opportunities. The service-learning initiative in the Office of High School Programs keeps a database of over 200 possible community partners, and provides guidance, staff development, and other resources.

Learn and Serve

In 2006, through an intergovernmental agreement with the Illinois State Board of Education, management of Learn and Serve Illinois was transferred to Illinois Lieutenant Governor Pat Quinn’s office. Participation in Learn and Serve grew from 19,000 students in 1997 to over 46,000 students in 44 districts in 2008. Most school-based subgrantees receive between $5,000 and $10,000 grants, and between 1996 and 2000 the state also distributed community-based grants.

The Illinois Resource Center provides training and technical assistance to grantees across the state, with four basic modules of training focused on service-learning and student leadership. Learn and Serve staff also conduct site analyses to help schools determine how best to improve their service-learning programs.

Youth Contributions

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Examples of Quality Service-Learning

References

External Links


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