Jump to ContentJump to Main Navigation
Show Summary Details
More options …

Multicultural Learning and Teaching

Editor-in-Chief: Obiakor, Festus / Algozzine, Robert

Managing Editor: Banks, Tachelle

Online
ISSN
2161-2412
See all formats and pricing
More options …

Service Learning for At-Risk Student Populations: The Contextual Dynamism of Implementation

Jacob T. Akin / Randall S. Vesely
  • Corresponding author
  • Department of Educational Foundations and Leadership, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43606, USA
  • Email
  • Other articles by this author:
  • De Gruyter OnlineGoogle Scholar
Published Online: 2014-11-05 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/mlt-2013-0028

Abstract

The central purpose of this article is to explore research, issues, and perspectives on the implementation of service learning programs to improve student achievement in at-risk student populations. The implementation of service learning programs takes place within multiple contexts and across several terrains. The complexities of implementing service learning are captured in a framework of “contextual dynamism” which consists of six interrelated terrains: the political, the economic, the accountability, the financial, the demographic, and the staffing. In this article, the authors explore each of the terrains, ending with recommendations for policymakers and practitioners.

Keywords: service learning; contextual dynamism; at-risk; k-12

References

  • Act 135, 107th Leg., 1st Session, 1993, South Carolina Laws.Google Scholar

  • Banks, J. A., Au, K. H., Ball, A. F., Bell, P., Gordon, E. W., Gutierrez, K. D., … Zhou, M. (2007). Learning in and out of school in diverse environments: Life-long, life-wide, life-deep (pp. 1–36). Seattle, WA: The Life Center.Google Scholar

  • Billig, S. H. (2000). Research on k-12 school-based service learning: The evidence builds. Phi Delta Kappan, May 2000, 658–664.Web of ScienceGoogle Scholar

  • Bridgeland, J. M., Dilulio, J. J., & Morison, K. B. (2006). The silent epidemic: Perspectives of high school dropouts. Civic Enterprises and Peter D. Hart Research Associates. For the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.Google Scholar

  • Bringle, R. G., & Hatcher, J. A. (1996). Implementing service learning in higher education. The Journal of Higher Education, 67(2), 221–239.CrossrefGoogle Scholar

  • Celio, C. I., Durlak, J., & Dymnicki, A. (2011). A meta-analysis of the impact of N on students. Journal of Experiential Education, 34(2), 164–181.CrossrefGoogle Scholar

  • Clark, C. (2001). Texas. In C. C. Sielke, J. Dayton, C. T. Holmes, & A. Jefferson (Eds.), Public school finance programs of the United States and Canada: 1998–1999. Washington, DC: National Center for Education Statistics, Office of Educational Research and Improvement, U.S. Department of EducationGoogle Scholar

  • Comer, J. P. (1997). Waiting for a miracle: Why schools can’t solve our problems – And how we can. New York, NY: Dutton.Google Scholar

  • Florida Learn and Serve. (2009). Florida service-learning leader schools recognition program. South Lake Application. Retrieved from http://www.fsu.edu/~flserve/awards/sl_leader_schools.html

  • Gent, P. J. (2007). Strange bedfellows: No child left behind and service learning. Michigan Journal of Community Service Learning, Spring 2007, 65–74.Google Scholar

  • Gordon, E. W., & Bridglall, B. L. (2005). Conceptual and practical issues in evaluation supplementary education programs. In E. W. Gordon, B. L. Bridglall, & A. S. Meroe (Eds.), Supplementary education: The hidden curriculum of high academic achievement (pp. 295–319). Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield.Google Scholar

  • Hunt, J. B. (2002, February). Service learning delivers real-world accountability. Speech presented at the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education, 54th Annual Meeting, New York, NY.Google Scholar

  • Land, D., & Legters, N. (2002). The extent and consequences of risk in U.S. education. In S. Stringfield & D. Land (Eds.), Educating at-risk children: 101st yearbook of the National Society for the Study of Education (pp. 1–28). Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press.Google Scholar

  • Lugg, C. A., Buckley, K., Firestone, W., & Garner, W. (2001). The contextual terrain facing educational leaders. In J. Murphy (Ed.), The educational leadership challenge: Redefining leadership for the 21st century (pp. 20–38). One Hundred-First Yearbook of the National Society for the Study of Education, Part I. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press.Google Scholar

  • Medina, M., Morrone, A. S., & Anderson, J. A. (2005). Promoting social justice in an urban secondary teacher education program. Clearing House, 78(5), 207–212.Google Scholar

  • Nelson, S., & Sneller, S. (2011). Ensuring quality service learning experiences for at-risk adolescent. The Prevention Researcher, 18(1), 14–17.Google Scholar

  • Obiakor, F. (2001). It even happens in “good” schools: Responding to cultural diversity in today’s classrooms. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.Google Scholar

  • O’Connor, M. P. (2009). Service works! Promoting transition success for students with disabilities through participation in service learning. Teaching Exceptional Children, July/August 2009, 13–17.Google Scholar

  • Okpala, C. O. (2002). Educational resources, student demographics and achievement scores. Journal of Educational Finance, 27(Winter 2002), 885–908.Google Scholar

  • Olson, L. (2000, September 27). Children of change. 2000 and beyond: School-age “millenni-boom” predicted for Next 100 Years. Education Week, 32.Google Scholar

  • Picus, L. O. (2001). California. In C. C. Sielke, J. Dayton, C. T. Holmes, & A. Jefferson (Eds.), Public school finance programs of the United States and Canada: 1998–1999. Washington, DC: National Center for Education Statistics, Office of Educational Research and Improvement, U.S. Department of Education.Google Scholar

  • Scales, P. C., Roehlkepartain, E. C., Neal, M., Kielsmeier, J. C., & Benson, P. L. (2006). Reducing academic achievement gaps: The role of community service and service-learning. Journal of Experiential Education, 29(1), 38–60.CrossrefGoogle Scholar

  • Seidman, A., & Tremper, C. (1994). Legal issues for service learning programs. Washington, DC: Nonprofit Risk Management Center.Google Scholar

  • Sheffield, E. (2005). Service in service learning education: The need for philosophical understanding. Journal of Developmental Education, 28(1), 46–53.Google Scholar

  • Stringfield, S., & Land, D. (Eds.). (2002). Educating at-risk students: 101st yearbook of the National Society for the Study of Education. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press.Google Scholar

  • Tenenbaum, I. M. (2000). Building a framework for service learning: The South Carolina experience. Phi Delta Kappan, May 2000, 666–669.Google Scholar

  • Vesely, R. S., & Crampton, F. E. (2005). The Contextual Dynamism of Urban School Finance. In F. Obiakor, & F. Beachum (Eds.), Urban Education in the 21st Century (pp. 162–175). Springfield, IL: Charles C. Thomas Publishers, Ltd.Google Scholar

About the article

Published Online: 2014-11-05

Published in Print: 2016-03-01


Citation Information: Multicultural Learning and Teaching, Volume 11, Issue 1, Pages 131–143, ISSN (Online) 2161-2412, ISSN (Print) 2194-654X, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/mlt-2013-0028.

Export Citation

©2016 by De Gruyter.Get Permission

Comments (0)

Please log in or register to comment.
Log in