Contact:  Martin Ackley, Director of Communications 517-241-4395
Agency: Education

LANSING - The State Board of Education has recognized October 5-11 as Learn and Serve Challenge Week.  The State Board's resolution, and a proclamation by Governor Jennifer M. Granholm, coincide with the national observance of Learn and Serve Challenge Week.

The Learn and Serve Challenge  <http://learnandservechallenge.org/> is a concentrated week of special events and activities spotlighting service-learning successes around the country in order to build awareness of students' contributions to their communities; spread effective service-learning practices; and inspire other schools and communities to launch their own programs and projects.  

Service-learning is a hands-on teaching method that engages young people in solving problems within their schools and communities as part of academic work.  Research has demonstrated that service increases academic achievement and student engagement, improves civic attitudes and community involvement, and decreases risky behaviors.

"The State Board of Education strongly supports service-learning as an effective method of teaching and learning that combines rigorous academics with service to the community," said State Board of Education President Kathleen N. Straus.  "Students are able to make meaningful contributions to their communities while building their academic and civic skills."

Learn and Serve America is the nation's largest source of support for service-learning.  Last year the program supported 1,700 grantees across the country that engaged more than 1.4 million students who served 27.9 million hours with more than 124,000 community partners.  
 
Additionally, Learn and Serve - Michigan, managed by the Michigan Community Service Commission, supported 22 programs, which included 1,305 teachers engaging 35,531 students in nearly 1.1 million hours of service learning.   For more information, visit www.michigan.gov/volunteer <http://www.michigan.gov/volunteer>  or call (517) 335-4295.

Background
The Learn and Serve Challenge is a signature event of the National Service-Learning Partnership, made possible with support from State Farm Companies Foundation, Lead Organizing Partners include SEANet-the State Education Agency K-12 Service-Learning Network, America's Promise Alliance, Camp Fire USA, Campus Compact, The National Service Clearinghouse, National Youth Leadership Council, and Youth Service America.  In Michigan the Learn and Serve Challenge is supported by the Michigan Community Service Commission.
 
The Michigan Community Service Commission (MCSC) builds a culture of service by providing vision and resources to strengthen communities through volunteerism.  In 2009-2010, the MCSC is granting more than $8.2 million in federal and state funds to local communities for volunteer programs and activities.  The MCSC is funding 19 AmeriCorps programs and 20 Learn and Serve programs. The Governor's Service Awards, VIG and Mentor Michigan are also premier programs of the MCSC.  The MCSC is housed in the Michigan Department of Human Services, whose mission is to assist children, families, and vulnerable adults to be safe, stable, and self-supporting.  The Corporation for National and Community Service grants federal funding that the MCSC administers to its programs.