Title: VALIDATION RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN ORGANIZATION STRUCTURE AND THE INSTITUTIONALIZATION OF SERVICE-LEARNING IN ENGAGED COMMUNITY COLLEGES

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine whether relationships exist between organization structure and the institutionalization of service-learning in engaged community colleges. Service-learning is the integration of community service and academic study. It provides a link between learning and community problem solving while at the same time offering students educational experiences that reflect the world in which they live.

An ex post facto survey designed by this researcher with portions based on Furco's (2004) institutionalization survey was used with individuals associated with service-learning at two-year colleges from the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) and Community College National Center for Community Engagement (CCNCCE). A purposive sample of 264 community colleges engaged in service-learning programs was utilized (250 adjusted sample), and a total of 120 surveys (48%) was returned. Participants were primarily coordinators of service-learning programs or faculty teaching courses with service-learning components and represented community colleges and technical colleges throughout the United States. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson product-moment correlation analysis, Spearman rank-ordered correlational analysis, independent sample t-test, and ANoVA.