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              National Service Systematic Review and Synthesis of National Service Literature
      Back
                This report provides an overview of the full body of empirical evidence on national service as of August 2015, identified through a systematic search and review process.

Key findings of this report include the following:

Substantial variation exists in the strength and depth of evidence across the five focus and three impact areas.
	In education, research shows that highly structured, well-implemented, intensive, one-on-one tutoring models are effective in promoting academic achievement, especially at the early grades and for children from disadvantaged backgrounds.
	Economic opportunity and healthy futures represent two additional areas with a sufficient evidence base to allow tentative observations about the efficacy of selected program models.
	Environmental stewardship and disaster services both have very limited evidence, leaving considerable room to expand the evidence base.
	The two domains of member development reviewed contain extensive literature that includes studies employing well-implemented causal designs. In the area of member skills relevant to professional development, national service participation brings substantial benefits to members through the soft- and hard-skills acquired during service, the expansion of social networks, and the clarification of personal goals. In the area of civic engagement, national service programs continue to successfully promote civic engagement as an ongoing part of alumni’s self-identities.
	In the area of organizational capacity and sustainability, the VISTA program has demonstrated its ability to increase the organizational capacity of host organizations, particularly with regard to strengthening volunteer recruitment.For more information, view the report materials below.

Full report

Economic Opportunity - State of the Practice Report

Economic Opportunity - State of the Science Report

Education - State of the Practice Report

Education - State of the Science Report

Annotated Bibliography

      Full report
      

      Full Report
            National Service Systematic Review and Synthesis of National Service Literature
        Further information
    



      Implementing Organization
                        Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS)
  

      AmeriCorps Program(s)
            AmeriCorps NCCC
                  AmeriCorps State and National
                  AmeriCorps VISTA
                  AmeriCorps Seniors
  

      Age(s) Studied
            18-25 (Young adult)
                  26-55 (Adult)
                  55+ (Older adult)
  

      Outcome Category
            Disaster assistance provided
                  Financial literacy
                  Housing
                  Employment
                  School readiness
                  K-12 success
                  Post-secondary educational support
                  Energy efficiency
                  At-risk ecosystems
                  Awareness of environmental issues
                  Green jobs
                  Aging in place
                  Obesity and food
                  Access to care
                  Benefit to national service members/volunteers
                  Nonprofit development
  

      Study Type(s)
            Review or Meta-analysis
  

      Study Design(s)
            Non-experimental
  

      Researcher/Evaluator
                        JBS International
  

      Published Year
                        2015 Back to main content Sign up to hear about our latest news, events, and opportunities.
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