CalServe K-12 Service-Learning Initiative
The CalServe Initiative (CalServe) was established within the California Department of Education (CDE) in 1990 with federal funding provided through the National and Community Service Act. This legislation was reauthorized in 1993 and created the Corporation for National and Community Service, which established Learn and Serve America as one of the streams of community service. Since 1990, CalServe has provided funding to California’s county offices of education, districts, and schools to support the statewide implementation of the instructional method known as service-learning.
Federal funding for Learn and Serve America was eliminated from the 2011–12 budget, which in turn eliminated the funding to support CalServe. Although CalServe will no longer be a program within the CDE, the CDE will continue to support the use of service-learning as an important instructional method.
Background & Overview
Corporation for National and Community Service
Learn and Serve America Fact Sheet
(PDF)
Overview of Service-Learning and Community Service
Resources
Funding
Funding results for service-learning programs (for reference only).
District Tools and Resources
Service-learning tools and resources for school districts including Sustainability Survey Results, Service-Learning Task Force Report, research and evaluation, and state and national resources.
District Models
- CalServe
Partnerships
Locate a CalServe Partnership in your region
Regional Networks
CalServe Initiative - CalEdFacts
This content is part of California Department of Education's information and media guide about education in the State of California. For similar information on other topics, visit the full CalEdFacts.
