Engaging+the+Forgotten+Half

Download a PDF of this file. **Engaging the “forgotten half”: Civic engagement among youth not on campuses** Abby Kiesa, Youth Coordinator & Researcher, Tufts University [Abby.Kiesa@tufts.edu]


 * Keywords:** CIRCLE, under-represented populations in civic engagement, YouthBuild, non-college youth


 * Conference track:** Community partnerships and outcomes


 * Format:** Research/Scholarly paper

A large gap in research exists about the engagement of youth not in school and with no college experience. This group is consistently less likely to be engaged or have opportunities to do so. CIRCLE will present quantitative and qualitative research into the half of the youth (ages 18-29) population that fits into this group.
 * Summary**

As Verba, Schlozman, and Brady (1995) argue, widespread civic participation is the core of creating and sustaining a true democracy. However, data show that young people without college experience consistently demonstrate lower rates of civic engagement than their college-attending counterparts. More problematic is the recent research showing that youth in less affluent schools (where few youth are on a college track) are exposed to fewer of these opportunities to learn civic habits and skills (Kahne & Middaugh 2008; Kahne & Sporte, 2008). Thus, “non-college” young people are underrepresented in groups, meetings, and elections.

Increasing the stakes, college experience is strongly associated with several demographic characteristics. Young people without college experience are more likely than those with college experience to be Latino or African American, male, and unemployed (Kiesa & Marcelo, 2009). Although many factors influence whether an individual will attend college, family income directly relates to college attendance, both two-year and four-year (Akerhielm, Berger, Hooker, & Wise, 1998; Aughinbaugh, 2008).

This session will provide an opportunity to discuss: 1. A comprehensive literature review on the topic 2. Analysis of population and civic data to show national trends 3. Focus group discussions with youth in four cities 4. Assessment of the civic impact of YouthBuild* on alumni of the program

“In YouthBuild programs, low-income young people ages 16 to 24 work full-time for 6 to 24 months toward their GEDs or high school diplomas while learning job skills by building affordable housing in their communities” (YouthBuild USA).

Akerhielm, K., Berger, J., Hooker, M., & Wisa, D. (1998). Factors related to college enrollment: Final report. Washington, DC: U.S. Dept. of Education, Office of the Under Secretary.
 * References**

America's civic health index: Civic health in hard times (2009). Washington, DC: National Conference on Citizenship.

Aughinbaugh, A. (2008). Who goes to college? Evidence from the NLSY97. //Monthly Labor Review, 131//(8), 33–43.

Belfield, C. R., Levin, H. M., & Rosen, R. (2012). //The economic value of opportunity youth.// Washington, DC: Corporation for National and Community Service and the White House Council for Community Solutions.

Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (Forthcoming). //Civic engagement amongst youth without college experience: Realities and influences.// Medford, MA: Author.

Flanagan, C., Levine, P., & Settersten, R. (2009). //Civic engagement and the changing transition to adulthood.// Medford, MA: Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement, Tufts University.

Kahne, J. E., & Middaugh, E. (2009). Democracy for some: The civic opportunity gap in high school. CIRCLE working paper 59. Medford, MA: Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement, Tufts University.

Kahne, J. E., & Sporte, S. E. (2008). Developing citizens: The impact of civic learning opportunities on students' commitment to civic participation. //American Educational Research Journal, 45//(3), 738–766.

Kawashima-Ginsberg, K., & CIRCLE Staff. (2011). //Understanding a diverse generation: Youth civic engagement in the United States.// Medford, MA: Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement, Tufts University.

Kiesa, A., & Marcelo, K. B. (2009). CIRCLE fact sheet: Youth demographics - youth with no college experience. Medford, MA: Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement, Tufts University.

Nover, A., Godsay, S., Kirby, E. H., & Kawashima-Ginsberg, K. (2010). //Electoral engagement and college experience.// Medford, MA: Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement, Tufts University.

Verba, S., Scholzman, K. L., & Bracy, H. E. (1995). //Voice and equality: Civic voluntarism in American politics.// Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

YouthBuild USA. (2012). About YouthBuild. Retrieved from https://youthbuild.org/

YouthBuild USA and Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (Forthcoming). //Impact of YouthBuild on alumni.// Somerville, MA: YouthBuild USA.


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