Prospects for Civics Education in Transitional Democracies: Results of an impact study in Romanian classrooms

Abstract

An impact study was conducted in the 1994/5 and 1995/6 school years with a single cohort of Romanian students (n = 109) who used an experimental civics text in the 7th and then the 8th Forms. The text emphasized critical thinking, dialogue and participatory methods of instruction. The results appear to confirm the results of others that have shown a clear link between instructional methodology and the development of participatory attitudes, or ‘civic behavior’ in students. This relationship is evident even at such an early time in the post-totalitarian period. The study also shows that students in this age group generally become more aware of the role and rule of law, expanding their notions of citizenship beyond that of civility and good manners. This may well be a reflection both of the emphasis of the Romanian civic culture texts, as well as the emerging ability of students to grasp abstract concepts related to the state and governance.