Research Overview

Report on Legal Deserts, Social Studies Deserts, Access to Justice, and Civic Education

Thanks to a joint research effort with the State Bar of Michigan, the Michigan Center for Civic Education, and the Michigan Association of Intermediate School Administrators, there is a robust collection of relevant qualitative and quantitative data regarding legal and social studies deserts in the state of Michigan.

Additional needs known but not included yet include paralegal shortages, teacher shortages, educator professional learning, school/district specific social studies consultants, teacher retention, teacher shortages, administrator support, pre-service teacher content guideline changes and its impact on content knowledge and placement, pre-service teacher education program resources, law school financing, unfilled judicial positions, nonprofit sector funding, among others.

This CIRCLE fact sheet

“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.

Looking for the latest research, trends, and studies in civic learning and engagement? MCCE recommends:

Civic Engagement Research Group at Mills College

The Civic Engagement Research Group (CERG), conducts quantitative and qualitative research focused on understanding: the nature of youth civic engagement; the impact of civic learning opportunities and digital media participation on young people’s civic capacities and commitments; and the quantity, quality, and equality of civic opportunities and outcomes in public schools and other contexts. Go to http://www.civicsurvey.org/CERG_Publications.html for a complete list of Reports and Publications which includes the three below.

Kahne J. and Middaugh, E. (2008) Democracy for some: The civic opportunity gap in high school CIRCLE Working Paper 59.
Kahne, J. and Middaugh, E. (2008) High Quality Civic Education: What is It and Who Gets It? Social Education.
Kahne, J. and Westheimer, J. (2003). Teaching Democracy: What Schools Need to Do. Phi Delta Kappan.

The Center on Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement, CIRCLE

CIRCLE conducts research on the civic and political engagement of young Americans. Research topics include Community Participation, Youth Demographics, Youth Voting/Political Participation, K-12 Civic Education, Civic Knowledge, Concepts of Citizenship, Service Learning, Youth Attitudes and Beliefs. Site includes Fact Sheets, Working Papers, and Special Reports.

Facts sheets for K-12 Civic Education Include:

Research Overview

This CIRCLE fact sheet

Civic Engagement Research Group at Mills College

The Center on Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement, CIRCLE

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