The Office of the State Superintendent of Education, in partnership with Serve DC, the DC Commission on National and Community Service, invites you to join the September forum discussion on service-learning as part of the 2007 National Learn and Serve Challenge Week. Event details are as follows:
What: "Linking Classroom Lessons and Social Action to Improve Student Achievement" Service-Learning Forum
Where: Bell Multicultural High School located at 3101 16th St, NW
Metro: Columbia Heights (green and yellow lines)
From September 17-23, 2007, service-learning advocates from across the country will be engaged in a national effort to raise awareness and public support for service-learning as an effective education reform strategy. Service-learning is a teaching and learning strategy that offers students the opportunity to participate in meaningful and relevant community service activities that address authentic community needs and make curricular connections beyond the classroom. Educators using service-learning as pedagogy create a 21st Century classroom that is responsive and reflective of the skills and competencies that students need for a successful transition into adulthood and postsecondary options. Young people equipped with the ability to think critically, identify community assets, and engage community partners in solution-based problem-solving are better prepared to become active and informed citizens. Linking the community and the classroom not only enhances the learning process for young people, but it provides multiple pathways to learning that is youth-driven, personalized, and comprehensive.
School-based service-learning supports the goals and expectations outlined in Mayor Fenty’s education reform plan for the public schools in the District of Columbia. The expansion of service-learning initiatives in District schools will foster strong community partnerships and create an innovative learning environment that promotes student academic achievement.
The forum will examine service-learning through an education lens and offer both national and local perspectives on the benefits of service-learning as a school reform strategy. Some of the policy questions we will seek to answer are:
- What are the essential elements of a high-quality service-learning program?
- What are the benefits of service-learning?
- What are some national and local service-learning trends in schools?
- How can service-learning be promoted in the District’s current education landscape?
- What role can community-based organizations have to support service-learning as a school reform effort?
Speakers include:
- Amy Cohen, Director, Learn and Serve America; Board Member, Corporation for National and Community Service
- Peter Guttmacher, Director of Programming and Curricula Development, DC Children and Youth Investment Trust Corporation
- Max Skolnik, Executive Director, Kid Power DC
- Maria Tukeva, Principal, Bell Multicultural High School
- Millicent Williams, Executive Director, Serve DC
In addition, Serve DC will provide information about upcoming school-based funding opportunities to promote service-learning in the District of Columbia Public Schools and the public charter schools.
Please RSVP by Monday, September 17th to Steph Cheng or call (202) 724-1398 to reserve your space for this event which is co-sponsored by the DC Education Compact.