Mission of Education

Children go to school to learn fundamental skills and subjects, but the mission of education is much greater. Historically, the mission of schools has been to help children grow into productive, responsible adults who help make the world a better place. This mission is still true today. Americans feel that one of the main purposes of education is to prepare students to become responsible citizens (Smith, 2003). A great deal has been said and written about the importance of giving students the opportunity to provide service to others. Some programs of assistance are community service, youth service, national service, student volunteerism, and service learning (Witmer, & Anderson, 1994).

According to Smith (2003), community service learning projects are opportunities that involve complex problems, real-life contexts, and exposure to people who possess wide expertise and resources not found in schools. Witmer and Anderson, (1994) suggest that service learning provides the solution to the problem of having too much empty time and not being engaged in worthwhile activities. Service learning offers young people the opportunity to be responsible, caring, and participating members of society. Rather than prolonging students’ dependence on adults, undermining their self-esteem, and crippling their capacity to care, schools with service learning components can empower youth to succeed. Service learning is grounded in experiential education deemed learning through action. This type of learning differs from basic experiential learning in two essential ways. The first difference is to direct the learners into practical settings where the primary motivation is service. The second difference requires that learning takes place as students par...

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...concerns. (Witmer & Anderson, 1994).

According to Perry (2006), service learning, when executed well, may benefit individual learners and the community at large. On the individual level, service learning increases self-esteem, fosters problem solving and leadership skills, enhances social and emotional development, and improves academic performance. On the community level, service learning promotes a sense of civic responsibility. A challenge for any teacher hoping to provide meaningful civic engagement opportunities for students is maximizing the aforementioned benefits while minimizing the risks. There is not a magical formula that can be used to ensure that students will become actively engaged in their communities. However, with careful design, service learning offers faculty members a means for creating powerful community-based learning opportunities.