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Civic Education and Knowledge of Government and Politics

This study examines the relationship of civic education to the acquisition of political knowledge. Specifically, this research examines the influence of civic education on knowledge levels generally as well as the effectiveness of particular types of curriculum approaches and activities. Using data from an original national probability survey and a survey of alumni of the We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution program, the study finds that civic education is positively related to political knowledge. Lecture and textbook approaches to civic education are associated with higher levels of factual knowledge about political institutions and processes. Innovative curriculum approaches, such as the use of current events, classroom activities, and community activities, can be effective in conveying political knowledge when they are not the dominant basis for the learning experience.