The Texas Center for Service-Learning seeks to improve student achievement through service-learning, the thoughtful integration of community service with powerful academic learning. We assist students, teachers, administrators, and communities in Texas with training, technical assistance, and resources to develop and strengthen service-learning.

Service-Learning Quote "You should know that the education of the heart is very important. This will distinguish you from others. Educating oneself is easy, but educating ourselves to help other human beings to help the community is much more difficult." - Cesar E. Chavez

Research Shows that Service-Learning Reduces Dropouts
New research from teacher focus groups and a nationally representative survey of high-school students show that service-learning can address most of the educational factors that lead students to drop out of high school.  The report, Engaged for Success, published by Civic Enterprises and recently released at the National Service-Learning Conference, demonstrates that service-learning can keep students engaged in school while helping them become model citizens.  For a free copy of the report and a companion PowerPoint presentation, go to Civic Enterprises.

Share Your Service-Learning Photos with the World!
The National Service-Learning Clearinghouse is seeking high quality photos of service-learning programs or projects to highlight on its website. Each photo used will include the name of the school, a link to the school/project, and a caption.  Help the Clearinghouse brag about your program by submitting your photos today using an online form at servicelearning.org.

State Farm Ready, Set, Drive! Grants
TxCSL, in partnership with the Texas Zone of State Farm Insurance, is pleased to announce the availability of applications for the State Farm Ready, Set, Drive! grant program. This program, which builds on the success of the Youthful Driver Safety program, will involve middle and high school students in service-learning projects designed to help teens make safe driving choices. Grants are due by September 29, 2008, and will be in amounts up to $5,000. Eligible applicants include public and private middle and high schools, including charter schools, and nonprofit organizations that work with middle and high school students in public and private schools. Please note that the grant is designed for students to research and investigate issues affecting safe driving among teens prior to completing the grant. Students and their teachers who are interested in applying for the grants can get started now by downloading the application.

President’s Environmental Youth Awards
Today’s Youth Protecting Tomorrow’s Environment
Young people from around the country are invited annually to participate in the awards program which encourages individuals, school classes, summer camps, public interest groups, and youth organizations to promote environmental awareness and positive community involvement. Your project – or one you are sponsoring – could be an award winner. Encourage one or more students you know to apply for a PEYA and see what a difference they can make for the environment with an award-winning project. Applicants from all 50 states and U.S. territories are eligible to compete for an award. Learn more on the award website.

See Your Success on the Learn and Serve America Clearinghouse Website!
Learn and Serve America's National Service-Learning Clearinghouse knows what great work you do and we want others to know too. Please send them your stories and photos of your service-learning successes and they will publicize them on the Clearinghouse website and in our print material. Success Stories are now featured on the home page and will be featured items on the relevant sector page. Submit your Success Story at the National Service-Learning Clearinghouse.

Service-Learning in Afterschool Programs
Seven afterschool programs in California have joined together, through the California Afterschool Service-Learning initiative (CASSL) to implement, study, and document the ways in which service-learning can be similarly effective in the afterschool setting. Their best practices, challenges, and triumphs are shared in the publication titled "Service-Learning: A Strategy for Success in Afterschool." To learn more, visit the Youth Service California website.

Learn and Serve America
National Resources
The Learn and Serve America Program website of the Corporation for National and Community Service provides a wealth of information on service-learning and national initiatives, including the Presidential Freedom Scholarships. You can also link to the National Service-Learning Clearinghouse, which is a repository of service-learning resources from around the country that can be downloaded for or borrowed from the lending library.

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