Sometimes students can learn as much outside a classroom as they can in one. And Marshall students will soon be getting out of the classroom, going into the community.

Marshall was one of eight districts to receive a service learning grant this year from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The DESE grant will provide $50,000 to establish Marshall's program.

Carol Smith, who will coordinate the program with Cathy Cook, said it took a huge collaborative effort to get the grant. The team that wrote the grant application put it together quickly after finding out it was due in less than a week. "It was a rush," she said.

The idea of service-based learning is to combine service to the community with students' classroom instruction. Students in the program will work with community members, teachers and classmates to address community needs using the knowledge they've gained from their classroom instruction.

Smith said by putting students in a real-world situation, they can see actual application of the math and writing skills they are being taught.

"They can see why they're in school, why they're learning what they're learning," she said.

Another benefit of the program is that it helps students prepare for the Missouri Assessment Program test. Like the MAP's performance type questions, the service-learning lessons give the students an opportunity to demonstrate critical thinking and problem solving skills.

The district is currently looking for projects for students to work on. Smith said the Salt Fork YMCA and the Marshall Parks and Recreation Department are among those being considered to help provide students with service opportunities, but she would like to see local businesses also get involved.

Business owners who want to take part in the program should contact Cook at (660) 886-3017.

Contact Chris Post at

marshallhealth@socket.net