The impact of service-learning exercises on the political attitudes, political participation, and test scores of community college students

There has been a major decline in political participation in the United States since the 1960s. Many political leaders, scholars, and educators believe that the decline in citizen interest and participation constitutes a danger to democratic government. Education and linkages to one's community have been cited as important elements in spurring political participation. Consequently, educators have focused on service-learning as a means of inculcating democratic values in students performing service in their local communities. Service-learning has received many kudos from public officials, educators, and students. Does service-learning increase positive attitudes toward the political system, increase political participation or elevate test scores?; A Pretest-Posttest Nonequivalent Control Group Design was utilized to test the impact of service-learning on community college students enrolled in the standard American Government and Politics course. Each class performed one of three different types of service-learning assignments. The control group did not take part in service-learning activities. A pretest was administered to all classes before service-learning activities began, and the posttest near the end of each class. The questions, largely drawn from the American National Election Studies, were grouped to measure political attitudes and levels of participation. The changes in each service-learning class were calculated and compared to the control group using statistical tests. Each class was given three objective tests, and a final course grade was assigned. T-tests were utilized to compare the test performance of each service class to the control group.; Service-learning changes political attitudes but not always in a positive direction indicating that more research is required to fully understand the effects it produces. Service-learning had little impact on election activities, the acquisition of political information or communication with elected leaders in the U.S. Senate or at the state and local level. There is evidence that it reduced communication with members of the House of Representatives, which is a negative outcome. However, service-learning students did increase their membership in interest groups at statistically significant levels indicating that a politicized service-learning may be the key to increasing political participation. Service-learning had no impact on student test scores.