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Service-Learning Leader Schools Award

Students improve academic achievement while serving their communities
California Department of Education, Sacramento, CA

Service-learning is an instructional strategy through which students learn academic content standards by participating in organized service that addresses community needs and fosters civic responsibility. Service-learning activities address various components or strategies identified as important to dropout prevention, such as engaging teaching and curricula, connections between school and work, adult and student relationships, communication skills, and community engagement. The National Dropout Prevention Center states that while there are many reasons for students dropping out of school, service learning is a strategy that deals effectively with two of the most common reasons―boredom and disaffection.

On February 10, 2009, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell named 11 California public schools as recipients of the Service-Learning Leader Schools Award.

“Congratulations to all 11 schools, their teachers, and parents for helping their students meet their Academic Performance Index growth targets while teaching them important civic responsibilities,” said Superintendent O’Connell. “These schools were selected because they have wonderful service-learning programs that help students integrate what they learn in class and apply it in ways that benefit their communities. Even in these tough economic times when schools are struggling with dwindling budgets, they never lost sight of the need to help students succeed academically and develop a sense of civic responsibility. Both of these traits will prepare young people for success in the future.”

The awards were presented by O’Connell at the annual California Service-Learning Leadership Institute at the Anaheim Sheraton Hotel in Anaheim, California. At the awards ceremony, winning schools were given a plaque and flag that may be displayed at the school site for up to five years to promote their achievement. In order to qualify for the award, schools not only had to meet their Academic Performance Index growth targets for the past two years, but they also had to use service-learning as a school-wide instructional method. The award-winning schools are:

Olivenhain Pioneer Elementary; Encinitas Union School District
Edwin Rhodes Elementary School; Chino Valley Unified School District
Discovery Bay Elementary School; Byron Union School District
Etna Elementary School; Scott Valley Unified School District
Nevin Avenue Elementary School; Los Angeles Unified School District
Webster Elementary School; Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District
Pacific Elementary School; Manhattan Beach Unified School District
Rocklin Elementary School; Rocklin Unified School District
Valley View Elementary; Rocklin Unified School District
Tustin Memorial Academy; Tustin Unified School District
Yosemite National Park Valley School; Mariposa County Unified School District

For more information, contact the award winning schools or Mike Brugh, Counseling, Student Support, and Service-Learning Office, California Department of Education, at mbrugh@cde.ca.gov.