Assessing Democratic Outcomes of Community College: Validating and Refining Measurement of Students' Civic Engagement Behaviors

• In Event: Innovative Outcomes Assessment Methods

Abstract

Civic engagement is at the core of the historic mission of many American universities. Community colleges in particular are well-situated to address issues related to civic engagement, as such emphases align with their institutional missions. However, limited research has been conducted to examine civic engagement behavior. The Community College Civic Outcomes Survey offers a promising measure of students’ civic engagement behavior, and is intended specifically for application in the community college context. Using higher-order confirmatory factor analysis, this study aimed to validate and refine that measure. Implications for both measurement and practice are discussed.

Author

• Christa Elisa Winkler, Mississippi State University