Need In Deed

Believing that every child has the right to a high-quality education, Need in Deed seeks to improve the educational outcomes and experiences of Philadelphia's public school students grades 3-8 through a unique approach to service learning that transforms teaching and learning. By tapping their interest in making a difference in their communities, we increase students' academic, social, and emotional skills, preparing them for success in school, the workplace, and their community. We transform teaching and learning by connecting the classroom with the community. This means - listening to what students tell us about the strengths and challenges of their communities and how they would like to make a difference; - engaging students in learning that makes connections between the world they see around them, the issues they care about, and the skills and concepts of the school curriculum; - supporting classroom educators in using effective teaching strategies; and - bringing the city’s professionals and practitioners into the classroom. One way that we assess the impact of our work is through annual surveys of teachers' observed student gains. For the five-year period 2014-2019, • 91% of teachers reported student growth in ability to identify social issues in the community • 89% reported student growth in analysis of cause and effect • 87% reported student growth in empathy • 80% reported student growth in ability to work cooperatively • 80% reported student growth in listening skills In our annual surveys, teacher partners consistently comment on the value of the approach: • “It helps kids make connections between what they see happening in the world and what you are trying to accomplish in the classroom.” • “It makes lessons more relevant to the student’s lives in ways that the schools’ curriculum cannot.” • “Students engage with the curriculum when they can connect to real-life solutions and real-life problems.”