Principles of Effective Service Learning Programs
Service Learning:
- Engages students in responsible and challenging actions for the common good.
- Provides structured opportunities for people to reflect critically on their service experience.
- Articulates clear service and learning goals for everyone involved. From the outset of the project, participants and service recipients alike must have a clear sense of (a) what is to be accomplished and (b) what is to be learned.
- Allows for those with needs to define those needs.
- Clarifies the responsibilities of each person and organization.
- Matches service providers and service needs through a process that recognizes changing circumstances.
- Expects genuine, active, and sustained organizational commitment.
- Includes training, supervision, monitoring, support, recognition, and evaluation to meet service and learning goals.
- Insures that the time commitment for service and learning is flexible, appropriate and in the best interest of all involved.
- Is committed to program participation by and with diverse populations.
