Service-Learning Impacts on Youth, Schools, and Communities:
Research on K-12 School-Based Service-Learning, 1990-1999
The Impact of
Service-Learning on Youth Personal and Social Development
Service-learning has a positive effect on the personal development
of public school youth in the following areas:
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Increases in personal and social responsibility, communication, and
a sense of educational competence;
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Higher sense of responsibility than students in control groups;
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Perceive themselves to be more socially competent;
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More likely to treat each other kindly, help each other, and care
about doing their best;
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More likely to increase their sense of self-esteem and
self-efficacy; and
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Have fewer behavioral problems.

Students who
participate in service-learning are less likely to engage in “risk”
behaviors:
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Reduced levels of alienation;
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Less likely to be referred to the principals office for
disciplinary measures; and
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Less likely to engage in behaviors that lead to pregnancy or arrest.
Service-learning
has a positive effect on students’ interpersonal development and the
ability to relate to culturally diverse groups:
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Better able to trust and be trusted by others, be reliable, and
accept responsibility;
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More likely to develop positive bonds with adults;
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Showed greater empathy and cognitive complexity;
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Greater acceptance of cultural diversity;
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Increased awareness of cultural differences and attitudes towards
helping others; and
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Became more dependable, felt more comfortable communicating with
ethnically diverse groups.
The Impact
of Service-Learning on Civic Responsibility
Service-learning
helps to develop students’ sense of civic and social responsibility
and their citizenship skills.
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Increased awareness of community needs, believed they could make a
difference, and were committed to service in the future;
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Were more likely to think about politics and morality in society;
more likely to consider how to effect social change;
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Greater sense of civic responsibility and an ethic of service;
and
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Increased understanding of how government works.
Service-learning
provides an avenue for students to become active, positive
contributors to society.
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More likely to be engaged in community organization and to vote;
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Increased political awareness; more politically active;
and
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80% felt they had made a positive contribution to their community.
The Impact of
Service-Learning on Academic Learning Service-learning helps
students acquire academic skills and knowledge.
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Moderate to strong gains on student achievement tests in language
arts, and/or reading, engagement in school, sense of educational accomplishment, and
homework completion;
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Associated with higher scores on the state test of basic skills and
higher grades;
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Service-learning tutoring programs helped “at risk” student to
improve grade point averages; these students were also less likely to drop out of school;
and
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Improved problem-solving skills and increased interest in academics.
Students who
participate in service-learning are more engaged in their studies
and more motivated to learn. Service-learning is associated with
increased student attendance.
The Impact
of Service-Learning on Career Exploration and Aspirations
Service-learning
helps students to become more knowledgeable and realistic about
careers.
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Gain in career related skills, communication skills, and positive
increases in career exploration knowledge; and
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More positive work orientation attitudes and skills.
The Impact of
Service-Learning on Schools
Service-learning results in greater mutual respect between teachers and
students. Service-learning improves the overall school climate.
Engaging in service-learning leads to discussions of teaching and
learning and best ways for students to learn.
The Impact of
Service Learning on Communities
Service-learning leads to more positive perceptions of school and
youth by community members.