8th-graders’ Expressions of Civic Efficacy Upon Completion of a Yearlong Student-led Civics Curriculum

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Wednesday 11:45 am - Gold 2
  In Roundtable Session: Middle School Students' Engagement in Civic Education

Abstract

This study elevates narratives and reflections of 8th-graders in Massachusetts who completed a yearlong civics curriculum that included a six-stage student-led civics project. As new civics curricula increase elements of participation, this study explores how students discuss their experiences in relation to civic efficacy. This study centers student voice collected through a multi-district qualitative survey with 221 respondents and a 10-week Youth Advisory Board composed of 13 8th-graders from six districts. Preliminary results suggest that students are able to narrate elements of civic efficacy (e.g. engaging in discussion, advocacy, voting), in reference to lessons and skills developed from Stage 1: Examining Self and Civic Identity. The full manuscript will identify student narratives of civic efficacy across all six stages.

Authors

• Natalie Sew, Harvard University

• Ariana Zetlin, University of Pennsylvania