What are the documented benefits of Service-Learning?
There are many studies available. Recently (1/2000), the Higher Education Research Institute (UCLA) completed a longitudinal study: How Service Learning Affects Students. The data reveal that community service participation shows significant positive effects on all 11 outcome measures of academic performance, values, self-efficacy, leadership, choice of a service career, and plans to participate in service after college. Performing service as part of a course (Service-Learning) ADDS SIGNIFICANTLY to the benefits associated with community service for 8 of the 11 outcome measures. Moreover, benefits associated with course-based service learning were strongest for the academic outcomes, especially writing skills. Copies of the Executive Summary can be downloaded from: http://www.gseis.ucla.edu/slc/rhowas.
