
Fact Sheet
Fact Sheets provide a quick overview on a particular issue in the field of civic engagement
RSSFact Sheet
2014 Midterms: Why (Some) Registered Youth Don’t Vote
When it comes to youth political engagement, especially in midterm elections, getting youth to register is only half the battle. That is one of the takeaways from our latest fact sheet on young people’s registration and turnout rates in midterm elections, with particular focus on the 2010 contest, the election most comparable to the upcoming 2014 midterm.
How Civics is Taught in America: A National Survey of Civics and U.S. Government Teachers
In 2013, CIRCLE surveyed a national sample of civics and U.S. government teachers for our Commission on Youth Voting and Civic Knowledge. More than 700 teachers responded to the survey and provided valuable information on over 1,000 courses that they taught. Today we release a new fact sheet with detailed data from that national teacher survey, along with key conclusions and recommendations.
Reforming Civic Education: Three Case Studies
Today, we release a short fact sheet that describes three recent civic education policy changes. We also release a longer paper that takes an initial look at the process behind each proposal and some of the issues faced by the educators tasked with implementing them.
FEATURED: Youth Volunteering in the States: 2002 to 2009
The volunteering rate among Americans of high-school age (16-18) hit its peak in 2005, at 33%, but has since declined to 27-29% for the past four years, according to the new CIRCLE fact sheet “Youth Volunteering in the States: 2002 to 2009.” This fact sheet provides rates of volunteering for teenagers and young adults by state in 2002 through 2009. It also summarizes state policies relevant to youth volunteering.
FEATURED: Voter Registration Among Young People in 2008
The new CIRCLE fact sheet “Voter Registration Among Young People in 2008” presents detailed information on registration rates among young people, broken down by racial and ethnic groups, differences in educational background, married and unmarried individuals, urbanicity, and state-by-state information.
FEATURED: Voter Turnout Among Young Women and Men in the 2008 Presidential Election
The new CIRCLE fact sheet “Voter Turnout Among Young Women and Men in the 2008 Presidential Election” presents information on voter turnout for women and men with detailed information about racial and ethnic groups, differences in educational background and married and unmarried individuals.
FEATURED: The Minority Youth Vote in the 2008 Presidential Election
With the midterms less than a week away, turnout among young people is an important factor. According to CIRCLE’s new fact sheet “The Minority Youth Vote in the 2008 Presidential Election” youth voter turnout increased for young people of all races between the 2004 and 2008 elections, with the exception of young white voters, whose turnout remained unchanged.
FEATURED: Will Young Voters Turn Out for the 2010 Election?
The volatile turnout of young people will be an important factor in the midterm elections, less than two months away. A new CIRCLE Fact Sheet on youth voter turnout by state provides historical perspective on the upcoming election.
The “Forgotten Half”: Education Disparities in Youth Voter Turnout
While young Americans with college experience continue to be more likely to vote than those who don’t attend college, there are effective strategies and initiatives to help bridge this gap, according to new research released by the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE).
Federal Policy and Civic Skills
CIRCLE releases a new fact sheet entitled “Civic Skills and Federal Policy” (PDF). The fact sheet notes that citizens can improve their communities, the government, and the nation through active civic engagement and collaboration. To do so requires skills. Educational programs and other government-supported initiatives have been shown to enhance Americans’ civic skills and their levels of engagement. But these programs and other opportunities are scarce and unequal, often provided to people who are already the most likely to be engaged.
FEATURED: The Youth Vote in the 2008 Early Contests (NH, MI, NV, SC, & FL)
Based on entrance poll data provided by Edison/Mitofsky, this fact sheet analyzes the demographic make-up of young voters in NH, MI, NV, SC & FL, as well as information on young people’s top issues and vote choices. Voter turnout data is also presented (see Table below).