CIE at WIS

Center for International Education


Requirements for School Participation

Introduction

Over the past three years the Center for International Education (CIE) at WIS has developed its innovative and highly successful learning and service programs in developing regions of the world. Each LearnServe focuses on a key global issue, examines models that work, and uses a social–entrepreneurial model to introduce school teams to successful in–country programs (e.g. Zambia—HIV/AIDS, Paraguay— rural and urban community development, and China—environmental impact of global growth).

Invitation

CIE invites your school to participate in one of our LearnServe programs. We seek schools committed to increasing international awareness in their schools and promoting global citizenship and leadership. School teams are expected to fully participate in all three phases of the program–training, the trip and implementation of an Action Plan. Because LearnServe succeeds with invested schools and team members, general conditions for participation follow below.

From the School:

  1. Commitment agreement to the LearnServe model by school leadership.
  2. Careful selection of school team, which consists of one teacher and one to three student(s).
  3. Empowerment of the school team to work on the school's behalf to advance the school's international focus.
  4. Financial contribution toward the costs of the program (100% for resourced schools and 50%–10% by schools with demonstrated need.
  5. Collaborate with and support the school team upon their return with their written report and their Action Plan for educating and leading the school community toward awareness, global citizenship and leadership.
  6. Documented follow–through by school on LearnServe team's Action Plan.
  7. Respond to a CIE questionnaire the following spring on the impact of the LearnServe program on their school.

From the Teacher:

  1. Signed commitment agreement to lead LearnServe school team.
  2. Assist in the selection of the student(s) team members.
  3. On time attendance and participation in all LearnServe training sessions and events (see list of dates).
  4. Meet with the school leadership during the winter/spring preceding the LearnServe program to develop and plan international and service learning objectives for the school and determine how the LearnServe team can serve these school objectives.
  5. Mentor and directly supervise the school team's students before, during and after the LearnServe trip.
  6. Upon return, submit a written report of the trip and the school team's response before September 1, 2008.
  7. Upon return, develop and oversee an Action Plan for the school with the school team and document the implementation.
  8. Respond to the CIE questionnaire in the following spring on the impact of the LearnServe program on their school.

From the Student (and Parent):

  1. Complete application for program accurately and on time.
  2. Once accepted into program sign letter of commitment.
  3. On time attendance and participation in all LearnServe training sessions and events (see list of dates).
  4. Be a full and active team member on the LearnServe trip.
  5. Prior to and following the trip work with the teacher on developing an Action Plan and attend planning meetings.
  6. Upon return to school, work with the teacher to implement the Action Plan.
  7. (Parent) Attend introductory LearnServe meeting, make sure all forms are completed on time, and fulfill financial commitments as agreed to with school.

Dates and costs of LearnServe trips

LearnServe Zambia: June 20–July 6, 2008
Cost: $3,800/team member

LearnServe Paraguay: June 20–July 6, 2008
Cost: $2,800/team member (Spanish ability required)

LearnServe China: June 20–July 6, 2008
Cost: $4,200/team member

Any school unable to cover the full cost of the program should contact Hugh Riddleberger by email or phone at (202) 365-2890.

Tentative training dates

All training will happen at Washington International School from 3–6:30 PM on the following Sunday afternoons:

Post Trip meeting: There will be a post–trip meeting of all LearnServe teams the weekend after Labor Day to review the trip and create action plans.

 
© 2005-2007 The Center for International Education at WIS