The generationOn Moments of Service engage students throughout the school year in taking action to address real-world issues (meaningful service, duration and intensity). The philanthropy education lessons provide standards-based teaching units infused into all curriculum areas that teach students about giving, caring, and sharing, and civic engagement (link to curriculum). The calendar of Moments of Service provides ideas for youth to connect with diverse partners on a variety of issues that young people care about, encouraging them to step out of their comfort zones and take positive action to make the world a better place (partnerships, diversity, youth voice). As students reflect on their service-learning experiences, they often comment that they gain more than they contribute (reflection). ^{1 and 2}

generationOn will contribute significantly to the national effort to achieve a Graduation Nation by helping teachers, parents, care givers and nonprofits improve the academic and life success of students through the transformative power of service and service-learning.

• Service strikes at the core issues of the dropout epidemic, yielding measurable outcomes including improved academic achievement, increased critical thinking and work skills, and reduction in risky behaviors, class failures and suspensions.³
• In a recent survey more than 80% of students believed that opportunities for real-world learning such as service-learning, work study, and internships would improve their likelihood of graduating from high school.⁴

Research shows that service is more than a cultural value; it is an essential tool to the development of the next generation and a powerful lever for the education and life success of all children.

• Students do better when schools, families, and communities work together⁵ and strong school-family-community involvement are keys to addressing the school dropout crisis, fostering higher educational aspirations and more motivated students.⁶

Bibliographic References for Module

1. Learn and Serve America’s National Service-Learning Clearinghouse. Servicelearning.og
2. National Youth Leadership Council. K-12 Service-Learning Standards for Quality Practice
3. Billig, S. H. (2004). Heads, Hearts, and Hands: The Research on K-12 Service-Learning. Denver, CO: RMC Research Corporation
4. Bridgeland, J. M., Dilulio, J. J., & Morison, K. B. (2006, March). The Silent Epidemic.
5. National Center for Family & Community Connections, 2003
6. Belfield, C.R. and H.M. Levin, 2007; Barton, Paul E., 2003