Learning from Young People: Implications for Civic Education and Engagement

All to often when students’ civic readiness is discussed, the voices of young people about their lived experience and the impact it has on shaping their civic outlook and leadership is left out of the conversation. This fall, the Institute for Citizens and Scholars released data from a new national study on 18–24-year-old Americans’ knowledge, civic engagement, and commitment to democracy. The survey highlights important trends that can be key lessons for educators and policymakers interested in strengthening civic education and our democracy at large.

This interactive virtual discussion will bring together youth leaders from Mikva Challenge’s action civics programming with Jessica Sutter, the Chief of Civic Learning Initiatives from the Institute for Citizens and Scholar and lead designer of the research to discuss the core findings from the national survey. In dialogue with Jessica, the youth will share what resonates with them from the survey’s findings, what were the civic learning and engagement opportunities that most inspired them to be active civic leaders, what they notice about their peers in terms of civic knowledge, attitudes and behaviors and their recommendations about what schools and community organizations can do to inspire their generation to be civically engaged.