IALA » Nat. Youth Lead Coun

Youth Councils as Change Agents

Wayne Jennings — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 17:41:59 +0000

Some feel education won’t change until the students demand it as they did during the 1960s sit-down strikes in some urban high schools to protest segregation. Much can be gained from involving youth in decisions about their education. Dana Bennis has been tracking youth participation in decisions. He writes: “In recent years several states and cities have created youth advisory councils – small groups of youth usually age 15-18 from across the region who come together to discuss policy and create recommendations (and in some cases even draft legislation) to present to legislators and/or governors/mayors. This offers a powerful way to give youth a voice (short of lowering the voting age, which is another issue many groups advocate). States that have youth advisory councils include: Arizona, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Nevada, New Hampshire, Washington.”

Related organizations include: National Youth Rights Association, theWhat Kids Can Do (published a booklet on The Schools We Need), the English Secondary Students Association, the National Youth Leadership Council, and Student Voices project of Education Evolving.

In related news, I just finished reading The Euridem Project: A Review of Pupil Democracy in Europe by Lynn Davies and Gordon Kirkpatrick of the U of Birmingham. The report is in association with the Children’s Rights Alliance for England. Children in Denmark, Holland, Sweden and Germany are well ahead of English children in legal requirements on schools to involve children in a wide range of decision-making committees; participation by children in the development of curriculum and teaching methods; pupil representation on local, regional and national education committees; and, funding and support for national unions of school students.

Also related is the work of Drs. Raymond Moore (recently deceased) and Dorothy Moore who over many articles and books counseled educators and parents to delay instruction until the child exhibited readiness to learn. They encouraged following the child’s natural interests and pace for learning. Their recommended formula for learning in The Successful Homeschool Family Handbook is 30-180 minutes of study, 30-180 minutes of real work and additional time in service to others.

Service Learning Alternatives

Wayne Jennings — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 01:12:02 +0000

Numerous studies testify to the power of service learning. Community service brings students into contact with adult activity and all of its complexities–excellent fodder for the brain’s development. Everyone understands that much learning occurs outside the classroom in the crucible of life. The National Youth Leadership Council offers a wide variety of excellent materials including examples, reports, conferences, free newsletters, training and links to other organizations to increase knowledge and skills for using community service for learning. Service learning can be incorporated into courses or offered as an alternative learning experience for part or all of the school day or for part or all of the year. Other good sources on info include Learn and Serve America and Campus Compact.

We should not forget that service learning can also occur within the school’s walls. One 500 student elementary school gives every student a job in school through an application process. For example, each three-foot section of the library shelves is labeled for a student who keeps it in good order. One student who was habitually tardy now comes early because his job is to raise the flag in front of the school. The school principal said the service program contributes greatly to the school’s smooth functioning and to students’ sense of well-being and school affiliation. Service powers learning!

Service Learning Outcomes: Great!

Wayne Jennings — Sat, 04 Nov 2006 17:54:59 +0000

A new research report examined the outcomes of service learning experiences by high school youth. The report summary and the full 121 page report, The National Survey on Service-Learning and Transitioning to Adulthood, were sponsored by the National Youth Leadership Council, itself a terrific resource!

Over 3,000 surveyed youth plus focus groups found striking positive results from service learning experiences. When reflection was part of service learning, results were even better. Benefits included: improved academics, educational attainment, civic interest and participation, and satisfaction with life (work, school, friendships and family).

Most focus group participants noted that they were not initially enthusiastic about the idea of service-learning. They thought it was