School community service programs: Essential features for success

Although much has been written about its benefits, the relationship between community service programs and valued future outcomes has not been uniformly demonstrated. Based on a multinational literature review and key informant interviews, this article identifies 20 program features that are related to positive outcomes. Despite the fact that we are unable to pinpoint which feature or combination of features is essential for success, there is substantial evidence that a program that is well structured both pedagogically and administratively is likely to achieve desired outcomes.