Fact Sheet

1201 New York Ave., NW

Washington, DC 20525

202-606-5000

LearnandServe.gov

Learn and Serve

General Background

Learn and Serve America provides an on ramp to a lifetime of civic engagement

for more than one million students each year. The program awards grants to

state education agencies, schools, nonprofit groups, and institutions of higher 

education to engage students in service activities linked to academic achievement

and civic responsibility. This type of service, called service-learning, improves

communities while developing the lifelong habit of service in young people.

Learn and Serve America also provides free resources on service-learning to the

public, teachers, faculty members, schools, youth, and youth service groups

through the National Service-Learning Clearinghouse.

Service Learning Facts

• 24 percent of America's elementary and

secondary schools have adopted servicelearning programs. 

• 40 percent of K-12 schools receiving Learn

and Serve America funds have embraced

service-learning as a part of their core 

curriculum. 

• 35 states have adopted some form of 

service-learning policy–either a mandatory,

statewide policy or one granting districts

the freedom to create their own. 

• At least a quarter of all higher education

institutions and more than half of all 

community colleges have adopted servicelearning programs. 

• 58 percent of higher education 

institutions that receive Learn and Serve

America funds have embraced servicelearning as a part of their core curriculum. 

• 92 percent of Learn and Serve America

grantees and sub-grantees meet a majority

of the characteristics of high-quality 

service-learning programs. 

• The most common service areas for Learn

and Serve America programs are education

(41 percent), the environment (28 percent), and community and economic

development (27 percent).

Learn and Serve America Statistics

■ Program Participants 1.2 million 

■ Hours Served by Participants 

19.9 million 

■ Community Volunteers Recruited/Managed

141,500 

■ Youth From Disadvantaged Circumstances

Serving through Learn and Serve America

428,664

■ Number of Learn and Serve Programs

1,609 

■ Annual Federal Funding 37.5 million 

*STATISTICS NOTE: Statistics represent numbers reported in

2009 for the 2008 fiscal year program activities. Programs may

focus on more than one service area.

Annual Statistical

Highlights*

■ Program Participants 

1.2 million 

■ Hours Served 

19.9 million 

■ Local Programs 

1,609

■ Volunteers

Recruited/Managed 

141,500
• 53 percent of K-12 schools receiving Learn and

Serve America funds are in low-income areas,

defined as schools with 50 percent or more of 

students eligible for free or reduced price lunch.

• 6,469 service-learning classes were created as a

result of Learn and Serve America funds.

The Impact of Service-Learning

Research has demonstrated that high quality servicelearning strengthens academic achievement, school

attendance, and classroom engagement; connects 

students to their communities; and reduces risky 

behaviors.

• The National Research Council identifies servicelearning as one of the most effective strategies for

improving student engagement and academic learning.

• A large-scale Michigan study found service-learning

to be positively correlated with test scores on fifth

grade state achievement tests in writing and social

studies.

• Three separate studies–in Philadelphia, Denver, 

and Hawaii–found that service-learning students 

developed better problem-solving skills and 

understanding of complex issues.

• A national study of high school students found that

when youth engaged in service-learning they were

more likely to be academically engaged and become

attached to school and community.

• A Florida study found that service-learning students

were less likely to be referred for disciplinary 

measures, and participation in service-learning has

been correlated to the reduction of behaviors that

lead to pregnancy or arrest.

Learn and Serve America Special Initiatives

Recognizing pressing issues facing today's students and

our country, Learn and Serve America has developed

grant programs to address specific challenges. 

The School-Based Indian Tribes Anti-Meth Initiative

grants fund projects that involve students in servicelearning focusing on the effects of drug abuse on

families and the community at large. Youth 

leadership development, substance abuse prevention 

activities, and serving with community elders are

emphasized at each of the sites. 

The Science, Technology, Engineering and Math

Initiative (STEM) grants use service-learning to ignite

a passion for math and science among low-income

students. The projects prompt students to use the

knowledge and skills from STEM courses to address

challenges in their communities. 

The Higher Education College Student Social Media

Initiative focuses on increasing service and civic

engagement of college students through the use of

social media such as Facebook, MySpace, podcasts,

blogs, and other tools. 

Advancing the Field

Learn and Serve America has developed resources and

recognition programs to advance the field of service

and service-learning in the nation's K-12 schools and

institutions of higher education.

• The President's Higher Education Community

Service Honor Roll program recognizes institutions

of higher education that support exemplary, 

innovative, and effective community service programs.

• The National Service-Learning Clearinghouse 

provides an online library of lesson plans, research,

and project examples to support service-learning 

programs.

• The Service-Learning: Turning Ideas into Action

Communications Kit provides grantees and others

with the tools they need to promote service-learning

to schools, colleges and universities, youth, and

community organizations. 

• The Bring Learning to Life public service campaign

consists of television and print promotions that

highlight the benefits of service-learning for K-12

schools. 

Corporation for National and Community Service

Learn and Serve America is administered by 

the Corporation for National and Community

Service, which also administers Senior Corps and

AmeriCorps. The mission of the Corporation is to

improve lives, strengthen communities, and foster

civic engagement through service and volunteering.

For more information, visit www.NationalService.gov.

More Information

To learn more about Learn and Serve America, visit

www.LearnandServe.gov or call (202) 606-6879. For

the National Service-Learning Clearinghouse, visit

www.ServiceLearning.org.

June 2010

1201 New York Ave., NW ★ Washington, DC 20525 ★ 202-606-5000

LearnandServe.gov