Community Colleges and Civic Engagement

• In Event: AERA Poster Session 1
  In Poster Session: Division J Poster Session: Organization, Management, and Leadership

Abstract

Despite the explosive growth of community colleges, little research has examined how these colleges promote (or hinder) youth civic development. Utilizing a survey of 7000 community college students, we examine how various educational experiences are associated with students’ political efficacy, civic participation, and volunteering behavior. We find that students engaged in service-learning, political science coursework, and coursework about inequality demonstrate significantly improved civic outcomes and that community colleges can reduce civic opportunity gaps.

Authors

• David Casalaspi, Teach For America / Johns Hopkins University

• Corey Savage, American Institutes for Research

• Avery Munns, Colby College