The
PHENND Update

  • Current
  • Categories
  • Archives
  • Search

    • Andy Furco Service-Learning Event Review

    Posted by on December 16, 2011
    On Thursday, October 27th PHENND hosted and event focused on service-learning as a critical pedagogy in the School District of Philadelphia. Andy Furco, nationally known service-learning expert and the Associate Vice President for Public Engagement at the University of Minnesota, gave the key-note address followed by a response from Associate Superintendent Penny Nixon.
    Dr. Furco spoke with non-profit professionals, college professors, school district representatives and high school students about the importance of service-learning and community engagement as critical pedagogy. He emphasized ending the trend of underselling service-learning as supplemental to K-12 education. Dr. Furco also spoke about the huge academic discrepancies between high school and college, especially among first-generation college students and how service-learning can be used as one method to help bridge that gap.

    Associate Superintendent Nixon delivered an affirming response, decisively stating the District’s commitment to service-learning even in tough financial times. She stated that she would work to offer more professional development in service-learning and community partnership, especially for principals. She concluded by saying, “We do need you to partner with us and if there are barriers please reach out to Dr. Nunery and myself so we can break those barriers and get the community involved in more of our schools.”

    Parkway Northwest Peace and Social Justice High School students from their Student Community Development Center’s (SCDC) Leadership Team were some of the most active participants during the question and answer period. They asked Ms. Nixon challenging questions and displayed for the rest of the “adult” audience the power of giving students a chance to be critical thinkers about their community. “Why,” one student asked, “if you know it’s important for students to get experience outside the classroom, doesn’t every school have an SCDC like Parkway?”

    As the School District of Philadelphia moves forward, creating strong community partnerships and implementing service learning strategies will be essential to ensuring that schools are able to give students the opportunities they need to prepare for college and working life. PHENND will play an active role communicating with the School District around these issues and in continuing to provide active working spaces for community partners through the K-16 Partnerships Network.

    More in "K-16 Partnerships"

    Stay Current in Philly's Higher Education and Nonprofit Sector

    We compile a weekly email with local events, resources, national conferences, calls for proposals, grant, volunteer and job opportunities in the higher education and nonprofit sectors.

    Subscribe