A Mixed-Methods Comparison of Two Civic Education Models: Legislative Semester and Advanced Placement Government Courses

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Abstract

This study explored the development of civic engagement and civic competence among high school students experiencing two distinct one-semester government curricula – an Advanced Placement U.S. Government and Politics course (APG) and the Legislative Semester (LS), an extended government simulation. In one APG site (N=105) and two LS sites (N=245), the research team collected quantitative and qualitative data to compare and analyze the outcomes and experiences of students in these programs. Findings indicate that civic engagement and civic competence increased for students in both programs, but the LS experience supported greater gains in civic engagement. The APG program promoted greater growth in general government knowledge, but students in the LS appeared to develop rich conceptual knowledge of specific current issues.

Authors

• Brett L. M. Levy, University at Albany - SUNY

• Laura Dacus, University at Albany - SUNY

• Natalia Smirnov, Northwestern University