Information for K-12 Schools

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What is academic service learning (ASL) and how can it benefit your school or district?

Academic service learning can encompass a multitude of teaching methods which can include one time service activites to long term community-based research projects.  The 4CR Network believes that ASL is a pedagogy in which students are fully engaged in their community and meet course or program learning objectives by working collaboratively with community partners.  True academic service learning is equally beneficial and rewarding for all students, faculty, and community partners that are mutually engaged.

ASL is a great way for K-12 schools to utilize untapped resources at higher education institutions and Community Partner sites.  K-12 schools can partner with higher education institutions and Community Partners separately or together.  It is great when a collaboration can be made with all three but there are certain projects that may work better just with Community Partners or just with higher education institutions.  ASL is very flexible in terms of how it can be utilized and how projects can be designed.  It is possible to find matches between virtually every K-12 school and Community Partner if you are creative!

ASL instills the importance and value of civic engagement and social responsibility within students at a young age.  Students will become more active in their communities and they will learn more about what it means to be a good citizen.

Some examples of K-12 ASL courses and projects are:

• History classes doing local oral history compilations of WWII Veterans and created a DVD

• English as Second Language classes partnering with college students to write their life stories and sending them to students in Africa
• Technology classes visit senior centers and teach them the computer skills that they learned in class
• Middle school students helped to create an urban garden with the help of adult volunteers to help grow fresh produce for a food bank and to learn Spanish related to gardening

For examples of 4CR higher education faculty syllabi, click here.

What are the benefits of being a member of 4CR?

Benefits of being a 4CR member include:

• Access to trainings, workshops, conferences and other educational topics connected with academic service learning;
• Connect with a network of multiple local community partners, higher education institutions, K-12 schools, and students who share a commitment to partnering and collaborating;
• Access to website resources which include course syllabi, faculty profiles, community partner profiles, calendar of events, as well as, regional and national resources
• Receive network updates on upcoming events, opportunities, etc.
• Project and logistical support assistance 

How to become a member?

Fill out a membership application form (by hand or electronically) and submit it (by mail or e-mail) to 4CR.  You can find the application and further instructions by clicking here.