<p>Aha! Research on Community Service (called “service learning” in the research) and academic performance. (I was surprised to see that I even know one of the researchers!).</p>
<p>"Students in over half of the high quality service-learning schools studied showed moderate to strong positive gains on student achievement tests in language arts and/or reading, engagement in school, sense of educational accomplishment and homework completion (Weiler, et. al., 1998). </p>
<p>Service-learning participation was associated with higher scores on the state test of basic skills (Anderson, et. al., 1991) and higher grades (Shumer, 1994; Shaffer, 1993; Dean and Murdock, 1992; O’Bannon, 1999). </p>
<p>Eighty-three percent of schools with service-learning programs reported that grade point averages of participating service-learning students improved 76 percent of the time (Follman, 1999). </p>
<p>Middle and high school students who participated in service-learning tutoring programs increased their grade point averages and test scores in reading/language arts and math and were less likely to drop out of school (Supik, 1996; Rolzinski, 1990). </p>
<p>Elementary and middle school students who participated in service-learning had improved problem-solving skills and increased interest in academics (Stephens, 1995). "</p>
<p>Other important results:
"Students who participate in service-learning are more engaged in their studies and more motivated to learn. </p>
<p>Students who participated in high quality service-learning programs showed an increase in measures of school engagement and achievement in mathematics than control groups (Melchior, 1999). </p>
<p>Students who engaged in service-learning came to class on time more often, completed more classroom tasks and took the initiative to ask questions more often (Loesch-Griffin, et. al., 1995). </p>
<p>Service-learning is associated with increased student attendance. </p>
<p>Schools that sponsor service-learning programs reported that attendance increased every year over a three-year period of time (Follman, 1998; 1999; O’Bannon, 1999). </p>
<p>Students engaged in service-learning had higher attendance rates than control group peers (Shaffer, 1993; Supik, 1996; Shumer, 1994). </p>
<p>IV. The Impact on Career Exploration and Aspirations </p>
<p>Service-learning helps students to become more knowledgeable and realistic about careers. </p>
<p>Students who participated in service-learning reported gaining career skills, communication skills and positive increases in career exploration knowledge (Berkas, 1997; Billig, et. al., 1999). </p>
<p>Students who engaged in high quality service-learning programs developed positive work orientation attitudes and skills (Weiler, LaGoy, Crane and Rovner, 1998). "</p>
<p><a href=“Why You Need an Essay Writing Tutor? | LearningIndeed.org”>Why You Need an Essay Writing Tutor? | LearningIndeed.org;