In New York State, the Most Effective Schools Create Engaged Citizens

As part of the effort to overhaul it's evaluation of public schools, the New York State Department of Education (SED) recently released a draft list of guiding principals. These are measures New York education officials believe should be used to determine whether a school is successful or "highly effective." 

We were thrilled to see that SED included positive civic engagement as one of it's measures of success. According to the draft, a student is ready to graduate when -  among other academic, social, and emotional measures -  he or she is "ready for positive civic engagement."  To help students reach their "full potential," an effective school will develop partnerships that support civic responsibility. 

We have seen firsthand the tremendous impact of service learning on students and we applaud the SED's decision to encourage all schools to make service an integral part of their mission. 

Starting Early: Elementary Youth Leadership

SLP was thrilled to participate in last week's "Taking Stock" Elementary Youth Leadership Event hosted by the NYC Department of Youth and Community Development.  Liz was a panelist along with staff from two inspiring NYC organizations: Urban Arts Partnership and the Leadership Program.  The audience included more than 50 Directors and staff from after-school programs located throughout NYC.  All were eager to gather strategies about how to help youth in grades K-5 become leaders in their schools and communities.  

Although some of the sites shared inspiring stories of existing leadership activities, many were struggling with how to give their young students "voice and choice."  They left the event equipped with best practices as well as the confidence that, with the right support, students of all ages can help solve problems in their schools and communities.  

Two community-based organizations, the Salvation Army and ASPIRA, were raffle winners of SLP's Professional Development sessions.  We're looking forward to supporting them during the 2016-17 school year! 

Our Youth Have A Lot to Say, We Should be Listening

The most persuasive advocates are so often young people directly affected by a pernicious social problem.  

Last year, SLP worked with an inspiring group of 5th graders in Brooklyn who persuaded their principal to improve the food and environment in their school cafeteria.  Their project was motivated by concerns about students who eat school lunch and their ability to thrive academically, physically, and emotionally.  In this 4/27/16 post on Chalkbeat, NYC high school senior Aminata Abdouramane raises an additional concern: bullying experienced by students who have no choice but to take advantage of the free lunch program.  Speaking from personal experience, she makes a powerful case for her solution: universal free lunch. 

Click here for more information about how to help young people like Aminata advocate for universal free lunch. 

Our First Online Fundraiser!

SLP is excited to announce the launch of our first online fundraising campaign.  All donations will be used to cover the expense of our Residency Program at multiple underserved public schools in Eastern Brooklyn, a neighborhood where more than 50% of children are living below the poverty line.  Although service learning benefits students from all backgrounds, the experience can help counter the invisibility and frustration felt by too many young people living in historically neglected NYC neighborhoods.  

Click here to view our campaign and to hear two of our amazing students describe the impact of their SLP experience:  http://igg.me/at/e7ki7wcnbzQ .  

More Service Learning for Youth = More Active Citizens

Another piece calls service learning the key strategy for creating more engaged citizens.  In an October 15th, 2015 Opinion piece, WNYC calls for more youth to "Step Up to the Political Plate." Calling out youth voters in the 2014 midterm elections for the lowest turnout (19%) in the last 40 years, WNYC challenges the U.S. to help young people understand that opting out will not fix what they consider a broken political system.   

Instead of luring young people with celebrities, the piece argues that we should make civic engagement fun and rewarding in and of itself. How can we accomplish this goal in the face of overwhelming disillusionment with the current system? More service learning in our schools. The piece describes an "action civics" project at a middle school in Queens.  Concerned about pedestrian safety, the students became politically active, had fun, and better understood their civic responsibility after seeing how politics directly affected their lives.

SLP Students Partner with NYC Non-profit Care for the Homeless

Last night, SLP students helped raise more than $25,000 for NYC-based non-profit Care for the Homeless (CFH)! 

CFH is an advocacy organization founded 30 years ago to provide healthcare to homeless individuals and families in NYC. During the research phase of their SLP project, 3rd and 4th graders at an elementary school in Brooklyn met with CFH staff to learn more about the growing crisis of homelessness, and how they could help.  Also attending the meeting were two members of the CFH Speakers Bureau, advocates who share their personal stories of homelessness.  This was a truly profound experience that challenged the students to question their assumptions about the causes of homelessness.  

During several weeks of intensive research, the class learned that a vast majority of the homeless population in NYC consists of families with children living in temporary shelters.  They decided to produce a Public Service Announcement to raise awareness in their community and persuade local legislators to make providing homes for children a top priority.  Last night, CFH screened the PSA for the guests at their annual gala to inspire them to participate in a text pledge drive. More than $25,000 in donations were pledged during the event.  CFH is also using the PSA in other fundraising and policy efforts. 

We are thrilled to partner with this amazing organization, and to see SLP students have a significant advocacy impact outside of their school community.  

To learn more about the critical work of the CFH, visit their website. 

Service Learning Creates Future Voters

November 25, 2014

Service Learning Creates Future Voters

According to the New York Times the turnout rate for the 2014 national election was one of the lowest ever with only 36.3% of the country participating.  

In this September 2014 opinion piece from the Gotham Gazette, Executive Editor Ben Man argues that service learning in schools is the best way to increase voter participation and create a flourishing democracy.  "We should provide opportunity for authentic experiences and community service learning and action civics.  We should allow young people to help make public policy."

Click here to read his piece.  www.gothamgazette.com/index.php/opinion/5310-solving-our-voter-turnout-crisis-max