THE FUTURE OF COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES AND

EDUCATION
LATOYA D. HEMPHILL
AET/508
JANUARY 18, 2015
ANDREA ADINS

COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES/EDUCATION

As noted by USLegal (2015), the definition of Community Based Services pertains

to providing high quality services accessible to families in the least restrictive
setting possible.
Community-Based Education (n.d.), according to the Glossary of Education Reform,
is a wide variety of instructional methods and programs that educators use to
connect what is being taught in schools to their surrounding communities.

KEY CONSIDERATIONS OF COMMUNITYBASED EDUCATION

Advocates for community-based education point out that by incorporating this framework
into their courses, students tend to be more inspired to learn then if they adhered to a
more traditional format of learning.
While there have been studies that show that institutions showed improved retention by
providing courses that bring the community into the classroom, some educators debate
the incorporation of community-based education, as the believe the learner will not have
ample access to the fundamental knowledge of the course.
Other educators are skeptical of community-based education as they feel that it will
require more planning and increase their workload.
According to Bowl and Tobias, Adult educators tend to shy away from critical analysis
and politics of adult learning education, focusing instead on the practical demands of
sustaining specific areas of provision (p. 279).

POSSIBLE FUNDING SCENARIOS

The cost of education and community based services is ever rising, and that looks
to be the same in the future.
While not a popular option, those looking to achieve additional education have the
option of taking out loans.
Tate, Klein-Collins and Steinberg (2011), hypothesize that there may be different
examples of financial aid in the future that are structured in a way to be incentives
to academic progress and success.

AREAS OF INFLUENCE
As is usually the case community based programs/services are primarily created
and utilized by individuals categorized within a lower socioeconomic environment,
with many within that environment being non-white minorities.
For both those working within a community-based organization or taking part in
community-based education, many times the individual has not had as much
experience with the people they are interacting with.
Noted by Vogelgesang (2004), participating in service-learning is one of many
potential situations in which students deal with diversity while in college, but it has
important implications for college and community relations in general.

REFERENCES
Bowl, M. & Tobias, R. (2012). Learning From the Past, Organizing for
the Future: Adult and Community Education in Aotearoa New Zealand. Adult Education
Quarterly, 62(3), 272-286. doi:10.1177/0741713611403830
Community-Based Learning. (n.d.). In The Glossary of Education
Reform for Journalists, Parents, and Community Members. Retrieved from
http://edglossary.org/community-based-learning/
Community Based Services. (n.d.). In USLegal. Retrieved from
http://definitions.uslegal.com/c/community-based-services-adoption/
Tate, P., Kelin-Collins, R., & Steinberg, K. (2011). Lifelong learning in the
USA: A focus on innovative and efficiency for the 21st century learner. International Journal of
Continuing Education and Lifelong Learning, 4(1), 1-23.
Vogelgesand, L. (Spring 2004). Diversity Work and Service Learning: Understanding
Campus Dynamics. Michigan Journal of Community Service Learning, 34-43.