Does School Experience Matter for Students' Growth in Civic Engagement?

• In Event: 66.062 - Democratic Citizenship in Education SIG Paper Session #2

Abstract

This study aims to investigate how adolescents’ civic engagement changes over their high school years, and to examine whether school experiences affect it. Data from Korean Educational Longitudinal Study, which tracked more than 5,000 students through their secondary school years, were used. First, students’ communality and participation increased between Grades 9 and 12 whereas their cooperativeness decreased. Second, students’ academic performance and self-concepts were positively associated with their civic engagement. Third, students’ engagement in social studies, relationships with teachers, and experiences in club activities had consistent and positive effects on their civic engagement. This study is expected to help policy makers and school educators understand Korean students’ growth in civic engagement and design appropriate school experience.

Authors

• Eun Hye Ham, Korean Educational Development Institute

• Sunhee Paik, Korean Educational Development Institute