This document discusses the current state and future of community-based service and education programs. It notes that currently such programs are unequally managed by elites and rely on government assistance for sustainability. While there is a need for these programs, studies have not clearly linked them to decreased poverty. Going forward, it suggests community-based programs should be tailored to specific community needs and involve people of all ages. The World Bank plans to invest over $7 billion in such programs in the next three years to improve organization, management, and focus on special populations and regional needs.

1. THE FUTURE OF
COMMUNITY-BASED
SERVICE AND
EDUCATION
Ana Maria Villar
AET/508
March 16, 2015

2. WHERE ARE WE NOW?
Management
CBL programs are typically
managed by elites making
the quality of the programs
unequal amongst different
communities.
Sustainability
Most sustainable programs
require government
assistance and long-term
demand
Results
No concrete statistics to link
the success of CBL programs
to poverty decrease.
There is a
continuous need
for community
based development
and learning.
However,
according to World
Bank analyst
Mansuri and Rao
(2004), there are
many weaknesses
in the global
approach to
community- based
education.
From 2004 to 2014,
comparative
studies where
community-based
learning (CBL)
needs
improvement.

3. WHAT NEEDS TO CHANGE?
• Community based learning needs to be
focus on the specific needs of a region
or population.
• Programs with a “one size fits all”
approach tend to have less of an
impact on community members.
• Most successful programs provide real
world experience and solution to local
needs and concerns.
• Programs must be beneficial to people
of different ages, and must emphasize
the importance of diversity for
growth.
• Program leaders must be educated in
program management and
community-based education/needs.

4. SPECIAL POPULATION
FOCUS Specific to the United
States
Veterans
Special Needs
and Disabled
Immigrant
Population
• Until recently, the United States
veterans were an underserved
group. Now, there are programs
that help reintegrate veterans to
society as well as help them keep
good health, education and
employment.
• The United States, as a developed
nation, has a legal obligation to help
and provide for those with special
needs and disabilities so they may
have good academic and
professional opportunities.
• The increasing immigrant
population in the United States
requires more attention to English
training and awareness of laws and
responsibilities.

5. SPECIAL POPULATION
FOCUS
Around the world
Senior Citizens
Underserved
Adults
Children/Students
• Senior citizens are retiring at a later age
and so must be kept up to date with
technology and professional development
that is suited for their learning needs.
• Senior citizens require education on their
benefits and concerns to stay independent
and have a better quality of life.
• Underserved adults and communities
require literacy programs and help
committing to life long learning, in order
to gain and maintain employment.
• Children continue to need academic and
real world enrichment so they may
contribute back to their communities and
countries.

6. WHAT LIES AHEAD…
The improvement of community based
learning programs is something that is
being heavily invested in all over the
world. The World Bank estimates an
investment of over $7 billion over the
next 3 years.
Though there have been no solid links to
the CBLs and poverty level reduction
there are several other areas that have
been positively affected (NCFY, 2011).
Increased Literacy
Rates
Reduction in teenage
pregnancies
Increased Employment
Retention
Knowledge and Use of
Technological Tools
Health Programs
Less waste in
government programs
due to increased
awareness of available
aid.
Higher Graduation rate
and academic
achievement among
children.
Greater independence
and quality of Life
among seniors

7. WHAT LIES AHEAD…
There will be improved organization and
management of community based
programs.
Learning centers will be focused on the
needs of special populations and regions
to have more effective results (Berg,
Blank & Melaville, 2012). We are most
likely to see:
Increase in Technology-
based programs to
provide opportunities to
work and study from
home.
Increase in programs that
educate special
populations about the
assistance available to
them by the government.
Increase in programs that
promote citizenship and
lifelong education.
Programs that integrate
the knowledge and skills
of senior citizens to
strengthen the
community.
Better management of
resources to improve
learning environments
and reach.

8. • Mansuri, G. & Rao, V. (2004). Community-based and
driven development: A critical review. Retrieved from
http://wbro.oxfordjournals.org/content/19/1/1.short
• Berg, A., Blank, M. & Melaville, A. (2012). Community-
based learning. Retrieved from
http://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED491639.pdf
• National Collaboration for Youth. (2011) The impact of
youth development programs on academic
achievement. Retrieved from
http://nationalassembly.org/Knowledge/documents/S
choolSuccessBrief.pdf
REFERENCES