In This Section
Learn & Serve
Learn & Serve
Louisiana Serve Commission manages the Learn and Serve America K-12 grants in Louisiana. The grant application period for 2009-10 has just closed. For the 2009-10 academic year, we expect to allot $200,000 in service-learning grants this year. Learn and Serve America provides funds for service-learning programs, experiential learning connected to community service projects, to be implemented in K-12 public schools. This is a cost reimbursement federal grant that requires a dollar-for-dollar match that can be generated through cash or in-kind contributions of services, goods, or materials. Eligible applicants for Learn and Serve K-12 grants are K-12 public school teachers, schools, or school districts, and public or private non-profit organizations that can partner with schools to provide projects for the student participants.
Service-learning is a teaching methodology that links academics with community service. Classroom instruction is reinforced through experiential education projects conducted by students that fulfill community needs. The real-life application of learning answers every student’s question: "Why do I have to learn this?" Students benefit from service-learning programs by increasing their academic knowledge, develop teamwork and leadership skills, grow personally and socially, and increase their awareness of societal issues. Teachers meet the required state standards, benchmarks, and grade level expectations (GLEs) utilizing service-learning. Communities benefit from the many projects that are conducted by students. And, many times it is the first time that communities see K-12 students as assets rather than liabilities! Service-learning combines service objectives with learning objectives with the intent that the activity change both the recipient and the provider of the service. This is accomplished by combining service tasks with structured opportunities that link the task to self-reflection, self-discovery, and the acquisition and comprehension of values, skills, and knowledge content. The distinctive element of service-learning is that it enhances the community through the service provided, but it also has powerful learning consequences for the students or others participating in providing a service. Service-learning is growing so rapidly because we can see it is having a powerful impact on young people and their development.
For more information about service-learning and the grant application process, contact Denise Dowell, program officer, at (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 225.342.3937.
