As 2003 comes to a close and we reflect on the Partnership's impact, we have much to celebrate. Our membership base grew from 1,700 members in January to over 6,500 at last count. Many of our members have succeeded in securing credibility for service-learning at the district, state and national levels.

In this regard, I'd like to offer a special word of congratulations to Dr. Carl Glickman, a member of the National Commission on Service-Learning. Dr. Glickman's new book, Holding Sacred Ground: Essays on Leadership, Courage and Endurance in Our Schools describes his work with the National Commission, and, in noting how service-learning contributes to American education, he gives service-learning a tremendous boost. This kind of endorsement from such a well-respected educator will be of enormous value to all those committed to advancing service-learning.

On behalf of the Partnership's board, I wish all of you and your families a
happy and peaceful holiday season.

Click below for more information on Dr. Glickman's book. http://www.josseybass.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-0787956716.html


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David Eisner, a former executive at AOL Time Warner and a nationally recognized expert on nonprofit capacity building and organizational effectiveness, was confirmed by the Senate on December 10 as the next chief executive officer of the Corporation for National and Community Service. The Corporation administers Learn and Serve America, Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and other domestic service initiatives.
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New Service-Learning Guide for Elementary Schools

The East Bay Conservation Corps Charter School is offering Service-Learning As Civic Engagement: A Resource Guide for the Elementary Grades.The guide helps K-5 teachers implement service-learning in their classrooms that arrives at civic outcomes. This guide contains curriculum units as well as offers assessment tools and resources for service-learning practitioners. To download the guide, click below.
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Free Professional Development Units on Implementing Service-Learning

You can download three complete professional development units to teach your district or region about how to adopt, implement, and institutionalize service-learning. The units were produced by Dr. James Toole of the Compass Institute, based on an evaluation by RMC Research Corporation. They are available online or can be ordered from the Partnership as a CD.
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On December 15, Partnership members joined Dr. Cecilia Hawkins, assistant superintendent for service-learning at the Humble Independent School District in Humble, TX and Partnership Board member Kim Huseman of Quest High School, also in Humble, TX, to discuss the challenges of integrating service-learning at the school and district level. Huseman stressed that it takes much more than a district plan to make service-learning effective. A grassroots effort with teachers is also essential.
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Congressional Allocation of $43 million to Learn and Serve Not Enough

In a letter to all Partnership members on December 11, Board Chair Anthony Welch pointed out the inadequacy of the $43 million allocation to Learn and Serve America for 2004 as part of a Corporation for National and Community Service appropriation. Despite an unprecedented level of advocacy spearheaded by the Partnership, this $43 million budget has remained the same for more than a decade. When adjusted for inflation, this figure is only worth $30.7 million today. The Partnership urges members to lobby for more funds for service-learning next year.
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Annual Learn and Serve America Grantee Meeting

From December 7 to 10, over 200 grantees attended the annual Learn and Serve America meeting in Washington, DC. Participants benefited from in-depth sessions on service-learning, best practices, evaluation, sustainability, research, and linking history, civics and service. Participants also visited over 30 congressional offices on Capitol Hill, which, for many, was their first exposure to their lawmakers.
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The next round of John Glenn Scholars in Service-Learning applications are due on Friday, January 16, 2004. Applications are being sought for two areas of emphasis: 1) Civic Education and Participation, and 2) Academic Outcomes and Cognitive Development. The John Glenn Institute for Public Service and Public Policy at The Ohio State University will recognize one individual from each emphasis area whose scholarship efforts contribute to advancing the understanding of or adoption of service-learning, with specific emphasis on K-12 education.
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