Innovations in Civic Education: Developing Civic Agency Through Action Civics

Abstract

It is imperative that schools and communities give students opportunities to participate in active citizenship and prepare them with the important skills and dispositions needed to become informed citizens. Action civics is a promising practice that puts students at the heart of civics learning by providing them with the opportunity to learn about civic and political action by engaging in a cycle of research, action, and reflection about problems they care about. As a response to move civics education toward a more action-oriented approach, the researchers planned and hosted two iterations of a summer civics institute for students entering 5th–9th grades. Using Jessica Gingold’s (2013) framework for action civics evaluation, this mixed-method research study explores the outcomes of the iEngage Summer Civics Institutes. Findings suggest that iEngage successfully incorporated four key competences from this framework, including producing 21st-century positive youth leaders, producing active and informed citizens, increasing youth civic participation, and encouraging youth civic creation. However, iEngage was not without its limitations and challenges.

Keywords:

• action civics
• civic education
• out-of-school experience
• project-based learning
• secondary social studies

Funding

The iEngage Summer Civics Institute and research reported here were funded by the Hatton W. Sumners Foundation. The opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not represent the views of the Hatton W. Sumners Foundation.

Additional information

Funding

The iEngage Summer Civics Institute and research reported here were funded by the Hatton W. Sumners Foundation. The opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not represent the views of the Hatton W. Sumners Foundation.

Notes on contributors

Brooke Blevins

BROOKE BLEVINS is an Assistant Professor in the School of Education at Baylor University, Waco, TX 76798. She can be contacted at [email protected].

Karon LeCompte

KARON LeCOMPTE is an Associate Professor in the School of Education at Baylor University, Waco, TX 76798. She can be contacted at [email protected].

Sunny Wells

SUNNY WELLS is a Visiting Clinical Instructor in the School of Education at Baylor University, Waco, TX. 76798. She can be contacted at [email protected].