Elements

Integrated Learning: the service and academic content inform each other.

High Quality Service: responds to needs recognized by the community; is appropriate to the level of the course, and well-organized.

Collaboration: all have an equal role in the planning, execution, and benefits of the partnership.

Civic responsibility: the experience promotes students' responsibility and understanding of how to care for others and contribute to our community.

Reflection: occurs before, during, and after the project, and establishes connections between the service experiences and academic curriculum.

Assessment & Evaluation: all parties are involved in assessing the partnership, and systems are in place to evaluate how effectively students have met the learning and service goals.

Youth Service California, 2000