Constructing Civic Identity and Engagement: The Case of Newcomer and Refugee Students in U.S. Schools

• In Event: Integration of Newcomer and Refugee Students in U.S. Schools

Abstract

High levels of voluntary and forced migration raise questions about how schools should teach citizenship and civic values, especially to students who have recently arrived in the United States. Using mixed methods survey and interview data collected from students in four diverse U.S. high schools in Arizona and New York, we examine student perspectives on civic identity and engagement. How do newcomer immigrant and refugee students conceptualize civic identity and engagement? What factors predict differences in future civic engagement among these students? Our findings highlight the importance of a participatory civic identity, as well as participation in extracurricular activities and class discussion in promoting future civic engagement among newcomer youth

Authors

• S. Garnett Russell, Teachers College, Columbia University

• Paula Mantilla-Blanco, Teachers College, Columbia University

• Amlata Persaud, Teachers College

• Katrina Webster, Teachers College, Columbia University