A service-learning survey of schools, community colleges and universities

"Higher education has a massive stake in the quality of K-12 education, not only in providing a pipeline of qualified students, but also in preserving colleges and universities as citadels of opportunity for growing numbers of underserved citizens," Patrick Callan and Michael Usdan

Service learning is a growing trend in Illinois schools and colleges but is it facilitating stronger P-16 connections? In the spring and summer of 2002, FAX surveys* were sent to school superintendents, community college and university provosts, and public university deans to answer that question.

Overall the support for service learning remains strong but the idea of P-16 service learning continues to reflect the notion of two different unconnected worlds. Most P-16 service-learning efforts target parallel activities, that is, attending conferences together or sharing activities, but lack strong interactive planning, implementation, and multi-level leadership. Service-learning activities provide little if any attention to facilitating transitions, providing user friendly introductions to the next level of education, or linking students specifically through the curriculum. In general, the strongest P-16 programs are through America Reads and AmeriCorps with community college and college students tutoring and mentoring and giving younger students a preview of the higher education world to come. Most service programs in higher education are organized through student affairs, although some have good connections with academic affairs.

Higher Education Helps P-12

Contrast higher education's view of its helping role with that of P-12. Of the higher education responses, 71% of community colleges and 85% of universities felt they were helpful to schools. Responses from elementary schools produced 57% saying that higher education was helpful and 41% of high schools acknowledging higher education's helpfulness. Clearly there are some important conversations that need to take place between local higher education and P-12.

Support for Service Learning Remains Strong

In 2002, FAX surveys were sent to 900+ school districts. Of the 241 school districts responding, 79% said they support service learning. In a similar 1999 study, 277 school districts responded with 69.7% supportive of service learning.

Community colleges (24) in 2002 responded with 88% supportive of service learning. In 1999, 30 responded with 83% supportive of service learning. Provosts of public universities: 11 of 12 responded with 10 supportive of service learning (90.9%). In the 1999 survey, 80% were supportive. Deans of public universities: 47 deans responded and 93% of them support service learning. In 1999, 93.7% were supportive.

* Fax Surveys were conducted by the Illinois Association of School Boards and the Illinois Association of Community College Trustees