The creation of an informed and active citizenry has always been a
primary goal of America's schools. Given the challenges we face as a Nation,
educating our young people to be knowledgeable, skillful, and engaged
citizens of a free society has never been more important. By serving
something greater than themselves America's young people can help meet vital
community needs while learning to become responsible and engaged citizens in
our democratic society.
Educators in America's K-12 schools and in its colleges and universities
have long encouraged students to participate in volunteer service in many
forms. They have supported individual volunteer activities, service projects
organized by student groups and faculty members, and formal service projects
that link to academic lessons – the practice known as service-learning.
The Learn and
Serve America program at the Corporation for National and Community
Service supports service-learning activities in thousands of K-12 schools
and on college and university campuses around the country through grants and
other resources, including the
National Service
Learning Clearinghouse.
The USA Freedom Corps is working with the Learn and Serve America
program, the Department of Education, other USA Freedom Corps coordinating
council member agencies, and nonprofit organizations to create resources
that will enable America's schools to do more to help our young people
develop habits of service that will last a lifetime. The Students in Service
to America initiative is an outgrowth of that effort, and we have included
links to that and other resources for educators below.
K-12 Education
- The new
Students in Service to America guide and materials are a resource
for K-12 educators to use to engage young people in service through their
school activities.
- Educators can also access some of the treasures of the National
Archives and Records Administration to teach their students about our
rights and responsibilities as Americans through
Our Documents.
- Through a variety of federal agencies the USA Freedom Corps is
supporting other efforts to help teach America's students about our
history of service, including the
We the People
initiative.
Colleges and Universities
- Colleges and universities can use
Campus Compact, a
national coalition of approximately 850 college and university presidents
committed to the civic purposes of higher education, to find publications,
program models, grants, awards, research, and other service and
service-learning resources.
|