New CIRCLE Fact Sheet Shows how Promising Practices in Civics Boost Students’ Civic Knowledge

A new CIRCLE fact sheet by Lead Researcher Kei Kawashima-Ginsberg, entitled “Do Discussion, Debate, and Simulations Boost NAEP Civics Performance?” finds that exposure to these three recommended teaching practices boosted civic knowledge scores on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP).

Unfortunately, exposure to the three practices did not reduce the race- and class-related achievement gaps on the NAEP Civics. In most cases, advantaged students appeared to gain more than less advantaged students from receiving these experiences. That means that if these practices were offered to all students without other changes, gaps in NAEP civics scores would actually grow. Find more details on the findings here.

CIRCLE Lead Researcher Speaks on Young Women & Political Leadership at the White House

Last Monday, CIRCLE Lead Research Kei Kawashima-Ginsberg spoke at a White House conference on girls’ leadership and civic education. The purpose of the conference was to discuss how to close the gender gap in public leadership by educating and engaging young people.

To read the full remarks click here, and follow the CIRCLE website for more information on women and civic engagement later in the week.

Young People and 2014 Midterm Elections

Even though it’s been barely five months since the 2012 election, conversations about the 2014 midterm and future election cycles are already underway. Data from past midterm elections predict that, unless things change, young people are likely to be less engaged than they would be in a presidential year.

Here’s what we can expect in 2014 from young people and what can be done to boost midterm youth turnout.

Stay connected to CIRCLE on facebook and twitter to learn more. Sign up here for CIRCLE’s monthly e-update.