Oregon

The Oregon Learning In Deed project augments the state’s service-learning focus on systemic change and institutionalization. Serve Oregon, federal service-learning grants, are administered by the Oregon Department of Education. Oregon has been successful in encouraging the State Board of Education to include service-learning as a key strategy to help students meet requirements of the Certificates of Initial (CIM) and Advanced Mastery (CAM).

Visit the Oregon Department of Education Web site: http://www.ode.state.or.us/opte/ServiceLearning/index.htm

Practice

The Oregon Department of Education is working directly with five districts and 15 schools (three per district) as part of Learning In Deed, to make service-learning part of the core of educational experiences for students in elementary, middle and high school. Participating districts demonstrate experience, readiness and commitment to increase the quality and scope of service-learning in their schools and share strategies within and outside Oregon.

Policy

  • Oregon is building on existing policies and opportunities to expand service-learning.
  • Current state law requires the Oregon Department of Education to provide service-learning curriculum materials and technical assistance to schools and districts.
  • Oregon Administrative Rules require students to participate in community-based curriculum related activities to receive a Certificate of Mastery (CAM).
  • Learning In Deed districts will create district and school policy that encourages, supports and rewards service-learning.

Infrastructure/Capacity

To ensure service-learning is made part of the K-12 curriculum, the Oregon Department of Education is doing the following:

  1. Creating a statewide Learning In Deed committee composed of professional, community and business representatives, students and state policymakers
  2. Connecting service-learning to state and national initiatives (e.g., CAM, Safe and Drug-Free Schools, etc.)
  3. Creating high-quality professional development for existing teachers
  4. Including service-learning in pre-service teacher education
  5. Maximizing partnerships with higher education and community-based organizations
  6. Developing incentives for school leaders and teachers to integrate service-learning into the classroom

go to top