“You think big originally”: Exploring student perceptions of civic engagement within a civic action curriculum

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Saturday 9:45 am - Gold 1
  In Roundtable Session: Young People’s Perceptions of Civic and Political Engagement

Abstract

This study investigates middle and high school students' civic engagement through Youth Stand Up (YSU), a digital curriculum centered on civic action projects. Analyzing data from 189 students over two years, the research uses Chekoway and Aldana's (2013) typology of youth civic engagement to frame students' experiences. Findings indicate that YSU fostered engagement in grassroots organizing, intergroup dialogue, and sociopolitical development forms of citizenship, with less emphasis on traditional citizen participation. Although students were skeptical about political action and organizing at the outset of the program, students’ attitudes evolved while participating in the curriculum. The study concludes that active, student-driven civic education like YSU may be able to cultivate civic skills beyond traditional participation.

Authors

• Joshua Littenberg-Tobias, GBH

• Rob Martinelle, Boston University

• Kaylene Mae Stevens, Boston University

• Kensy Jordan, GBH