The Potential of Service Learning in Rural Schools: The Case of the Working Together Project

ABSTRACT

Rural school districts face unique challenges such as smaller staffing, collegial isolation, reliance on uncertified teachers, and a lack of resources to implement federal mandates (Barley, 2009;Belansky et al., 2009;Eppley, 2009;Schafft, 2016;Yettick et al., 2014) while being charged to implement "national education policies [that] often do not fit with the needs and material circumstances" (Gallo & Beckman, 2016, p. 1) of rural schools (see Bryant, 2010). [...]of service learning, students may also experience stronger connection to their communities, have a more critical understanding of their role in them, and experience community efficacy. During the first step, Assess, students evaluate the status of their school, examining survey data, what students think, and what adults think related to seven health problems 1) unhealthy eating;2) physical inactivity;3) alcohol, tobacco and other drug use;4) high risk sexual behavior;5) poor mental health;6) bullying and other social issues;7) checking out of school. [...]in Make it Happen, students survey the status of promising and evidence-based practices in their school related to the health problem, take ownership over student-led changes, and advocate to adults for other changes to the school environment and policies to address the health problem.