Service-Learning as a Pathway to Civic Engagement: A Comparative Study

Abstract

A common assumption is that service-learning leads students to civic engagement. However, it is not clear that service-learning is better than other activities at engaging students in civic life. This report summarizes findings from a study in which students followed a variety of pathways to civic engagement. These findings suggest that while service-learning is not necessarily more effective than other methods in influencing student attitudes about civic life, it does influence the way students think citizens should act in a democracy.