Do “Days of Service” Meet Institutional Service-Learning Goals? A Case Study in Assessment of the MLK Day of Service

Abstract

The current study pilots a survey tool for assessing participant experiences in the MLK Day of Service at a public university. Student, faculty, staff, community volunteer and community partner participants (N=344) reflected upon service, learning, and university-community connections as part of a multi-method evaluation process. Quantitative analysis of unidimensional and summed variables finds significant variation by instructional site and participant affiliation. Such instruments may clarify the role of Days of Service in meeting institutional service-learning goals.