Graduates from this school have continued to be involved as supervisors for the school's service projects. Site visit data suggest that independent schools are on the right track by designating a community service coordinator, these faculty members continually strive to raise the quality of their programs. Survey data and site visits indicate that they educate themselves about the issues in their field, often helping to create information networks throughout their regions. Further, community service coordinators often add reflection to students' community service experiences, and initiate the school's first academically based service learning courses. Perhaps just as importantly, they provide needed community contacts and inspiration for other teachers interested in service learning.
Administrative support is key .
Interviews with school administrators showed that they seem to have little familiarity with the importance of reflection or with the concept of service learning. This lack of information often leads to barriers in which decisions, about schedule for example, do not take these needs into account. One headmaster was supportive in another way - by inviting dialogue with parents about service learning. The school found that after allowing parents to voice concerns, and the head to respond, service learning courses enjoy strong parental support. The quality of independent school students' community service experiences can be enhanced by providing students with opportunities for reflection, collaboration and voice in the planning.