Important Terms

Terms and definitions

Civic Engagement means “working to make a difference in the civic life of our communities and developing the combination of knowledge, skills, values and motivation to make that difference. It means promoting the quality of life in a community, through both political and non-political processes” (Ehrlich, 2000, p. vi).

Service-learning is a pedagogy that uses community service as a method of helping students master academic content, and as a way for students to meet a real community need while learning curricular objectives (Billig, 2011; Billig & Root, 2008). The Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE) states that “service learning consists of sustained community service projects that are closely connected to formal instruction and curriculum… [and] often involves close partnerships between schools… and communities.” Additionally, service-learning has a heavy emphasis on the organizational process.

Critical Service-Learning is the product of Paulo Freire’s critical pedagogy. It is service-learning with the explicit aim of social justice. It goes beyond the model of experiential service learning involving helping people. It involves examining and challenging “unjust policies and practices and asymmetrical relations of power.” (Porfilio & Hickman, 2011, p. xiii).

Service (Community Service, volunteerism) differs from service-learning in that it is not a pedagogy and does not involve the integration into a curriculum. Service allows for one-time opportunities (from preparing dinner at a soup kitchen to volunteering at the Special Olympics). Community service and volunteerism do not have a formal educational connection.

Civic learning is comprised of the knowledge, skills, and values necessary to prepare students to become citizens who will actively and thoughtfully engage in the democratic arena (Pace & Bixby, 2008; Saltmarsh, 2005; Cipolle, 2004). 

Advocacy is “The act of arguing on behalf of a particular issue, idea or person; giving voice to an individual or group whose concerns and interests are not being heard” (Berke et al., 2010, p. 28). Advocacy calls upon students to engage in active and public support of a cause, proposal or policy, and on behalf of others. When incorporated effectively into a Civic Engagement program, advocacy should strive to make public institutions “more responsive to human needs” (Bowen, 2014, p. 53).

Activism differs from advocacy in that it requires action to affect social or political change, and is generally not done on behalf of another group or individual (Dosomething.org).

Stewardship involves the caring for common resources. At Pingree, stewardship involves the care and keeping of our school – its building, activities, traditions and people.