Community service can raise students' self-esteem, develop moral character, and help students feel part of their community. However, school leaders need to be aware of the potential pitfalls associated with mandating community service. These include liability, cost, logistical hassles, and possible negative psychological effects on students. (MLF)

This report addresses impact of the Learn and Serve America Higher Education (LSAHE) service learning initiatives on communities, higher education institutions, and students, and is based on 3 years (1995-97) of data collection and observation at 27 institutions. LSAHE has awarded grants to higher education institutions and community organizations…

This report reviews the origins of the Human Corps concept, discusses the Human Corps activities of the University of California and the California State University over the past year (1991), and offers two recommendations concerning future reporting requirements related to this program. The recommendations are: (1) the University of California…

This report focuses on youth service as a vital component of education for citizenship. The following six major recommendations to encourage voluntary student and youth services are offered: (1) creation of quality student service opportunities as central to the fundamental educational program of every public school, including either elective…

The Community Service Scholars Program at Trinity College (Vermont) was established in fall 1989 to give single parents on welfare an opportunity to earn a four-year degree while volunteering at least 6 hours per week in community service projects. The participants receive financial support to cover most educational expenses. In the first year, 12…

Contemporary college students' apparent lack of exposure to citizenship, lack of concern for others, and ignorance of how to be involved citizens has prompted a call for involving students in volunteer service at the national level or as part of the undergraduate experience. This monograph begins by discussing volunteer programs as they relate to…

This report to the California legislature describes the steps that the university and state university are taking to implement the state-mandated Human Corps programs of volunteer community service by college students. Information is provided on University of California and California State University activities. The Human Corps organization is…

Research supports the value of youth service, but indicates concerns about the diminishing interest of young people in giving of themselves. New justifications for community service include the following: (1) documentation of the educational value of service; (2) greater understanding of environmental and human needs; and (3) greater understanding…

As mandated by the U.S. Congress, this report evaluates the Learn and Serve America program's effects on higher education students (service providers), service recipients, and higher education institutions, and assesses the program's return on investment. An introduction summarizes the policy debate and reviews the study objectives and approach.…

This report presents an overview of the most current data on the overall well-being of Connecticut's youth, offered to promote a shared sense of accountability in the state, to guide current funding and programmatic decisions, and to set a baseline against which to measure the impact of those decisions. This statistical portrait is based on widely…