Comparing the Civic Behaviors of Partisan and Nonpartisan High School Students

• In Event: 66.057 - Roundtable Session 27
  In Roundtable Session: 66.057-4 - Rethinking Social Studies

Abstract

Differences in political knowledge and engagement between partisans and nonpartisans are well-documented among adults, but relatively little research has studied whether these differences are present among partisan and nonpartisan high school students. Using a nationally representative data set, this study documents differences in political knowledge and political behavior among high school students. I find that partisanship is significantly correlated with the civic education outcomes of civic knowledge, campaign participation, news media consumption, and community participation. Certain outcomes are correlated with favoring one major party and not the other.

Author

• Christopher Clark, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities