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Youth: Ethics
in Service
A Service-Learning Program for Students in Grades 2-12
How to Enroll |
Successful Projects |
Resources | Service-Learning Guide |
Testimonials
 Youth: Ethics in Service (YES) helps
Connecticut educators and youth in grades 2-12 implement meaningful service-learning projects. The goal of
YES is to promote academic achievement, critical thinking, character development and civic engagement through the teaching strategy of
service-learning.
What is Service-learning? Service-learning is different from community service in that it involves a deliberate inclusion of academic curriculum and reflection before, during, and after service. There are numerous definitions of good service-learning and the
YES program focuses on:
-
linking service activities to clear learning objectives,
- engaging students in service-project research, planning and implementation,
- completing meaningful service work, and
- integrating reflection and evaluation into the project.
 Service-learning projects can be implemented to reinforce learning in almost any subject area and include: peer tutoring to strengthen subject knowledge and skills in tutors and their students; outreach to seniors to deepen knowledge of history and culture and build cross-generational relationships; recycling or other environmental projects to provide hands-on science and math experiences; school to career students creating an on-line yellow pages of intern opportunities and service to the needy to expand on civics lessons. The variety of links between service and learning are only limited by the teachers’ and students’ imaginations.
YES teaches educators and students to use (1) reflection skills to promote positive character, (2) cooperative work skills to support community building and (3) planning and implementation skills to conduct meaningful service-learning projects.
Click here for
resources on project ideas, steps for successful service-learning, reflection strategies and tips!
To implement a YES project, classes/clubs identify a community need, plan and implement a service-learning project and reflect on their work during and after the project. SEE staff provide the following to
YES participants:
- A training workshop to introduce you and your students to service-learning and other concepts and skills that help to plan projects and develop effective and ethical working groups
- Individual copies of Service-Learning, Planning and Reflection: A Step-by-Step Guide, a
resource guide authored by SEE staff. The guide contains planning materials, reflection activities, project tracking forms as well as materials on character development, team-building and decision
making.
- Technical assistance and guidance throughout the project
- A small grant to cover project expenses (to qualifying projects as funds are available)
Since its inception in 1998,
YES has involved more than 6,000 participants who have completed over 165,000 hours of service-learning. Most of these projects served communities in Connecticut and if the participants had been paid at Connecticut's minimum wage rate, YES would have generated more than $1.2 million in service.
Outcomes from Well Implemented Service-Learning:
Participants in YES teams have acknowledged increased student engagement in school and improved sense of respect and caring for others. View a current list of research-based positive outcomes.
Read more about
past projects at schools that have been a part of YES!
How to Enroll
We invite you to discover the benefits of participating in the Youth: Ethics in Service program. To enroll in YES, please complete the
application form (PDF) and return it to:
The School for Ethical Education
440 Wheelers Farms Road
Milford, CT 06461
If you have any questions about YES, please call (203) 783-4438 or e-mail us.
Want to know what former YES participants have to say about their experience?
Read testimonials from students and teachers about what they thought about YES!
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