CIRCLE reports “research has shown that communities where young people vote, volunteer, help their neighbors and belong to groups or associations can be more prosperous and resilient places.”

A new report from researchers at the Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE) at Tufts University finds that the problem may not lie with young voters themselves... the civic education and engagement we expect to solve access issues can actually reinforce inequalities and influence who shows up at the polls.

“I think the hope is that by putting civics in a broader assessment framework, it will get the attention and care that it deserves from the education community,” said CIRCLE Senior Researcher Kelly Siegel-Stechler.

Our Newhouse Director, Dr. Kei Kawashima-Ginsberg, speaks on the 1A show about the state of civic education in the United States and how civics should impart the knowledge and skills to participate in democracy.

“If I grow up in a school where I feel like my voice is heard, I know who to go to for change, and I see that effected, that’s going to give me a much greater sense of political efficacy throughout my life than if I don’t have those kinds of experiences as a young person,” says CIRCLE's Kelly Siegel-Stechler.

CIRCLE Director Kei Kawashima-Ginsberg co-authors an op-ed about the Educating for American Democracy Roadmap and its potential to transform K-12 civics in the United States.

“It demands collaborative effort,” says CIRCLE Director Kei Kawashima-Ginsberg, particularly in light of “challenges that we have faced this past year, and that we may face in the future, too.”

The project, funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities and the U.S. Department of Education, is the result of collaboration and discussion among 300 scholars, educators and practitioners, including CIRCLE Director Kei Kawashima-Ginsberg.

Kawashima-Ginsberg, director of the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE) at Tufts University, said that because good history and civics instruction invites discussions about controversial topics, good classroom culture is especially important.

Our Director, Kei Kawashima-Ginsberg, shares her recommendations

This piece cites CIRCLE research on best practices for a strong, comprehensive, and equitable civic education.

This New York Times roundup of ideas and resources for politically engaging youth links to CIRCLE's Rep US project and our analysis of young people volunteering on campaigns.