Civic Engagement Research Group
The Civic Engagement Research Group (CERG) at the University of California, Riverside conducts research, develops resources, and engages in education reform efforts that promote equitable, informed, and effective youth civic and political participation. CERG has had the privilege to partner with the CPS Social Science and Civic Engagement department since 2012.
Research
CERG conducts quantitative and qualitative research focused on monitoring trends, framing priorities, and developing an evidence base regarding effective civic education practices and policies. You can find their research publications linked here. Here are some research pieces that have come out of their collaboration with the SSCE department:
- Fulfilling the Democratic Aims of Education -- This article describes how districtwide efforts in Chicago and Riverside, CA have promoted civic learning. (School Administrator)
- The Digital Dimensions of Civic Education -- This study finds that the online and offline civic learning opportunities that students received in CPS promoted desired civic outcomes. (Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology)
- Let's Go There: Making a Case for Race, Ethnicity and a Lived Civics Approach to Civic Education -- In this report, the authors contend that civic educators and advocates must ensure that attention to race, identity, and the lived experiences of youth are central elements of civic education efforts.
- Misinformation in the Information Age: What Teachers Can Do to Support Students -- This article outlines how educators can support youth in developing a “healthy level of skepticism” so they can critically evaluate online information. (Social Education)
Featured Research
Email us at ssce@cps.edu to access your school's 2019-2020 5Essentials Reports for CPS High Schools and Elementary Schools focused on Civic Learning and Social Science!
Featured Resource
Check out the video library on Ed 4 Democracy website featuring videos of civic learning in action that include Chicago students and educators.
Resources
CERG also develops resources for educators, leaders, and districts interested in preparing youth for democracy. You can find a collection of videos and resources on their Ed 4 Democracy website. Check out some of their resources here:
- Digital Civics Toolkit -- The Digital Civics Toolkit is a collection of resources for educators to support youth to explore, recognize, and take seriously the civic potentials of digital life.
- Talking Across Political Difference -- A blog post by Heather Van Benthuysen and Erica Hodgin about civic discussion and deliberation in divisive times.
- Move Over Debate, It’s Time to Deliberate -- Another blog post by Heather and Erica about the importance of deliberation.
- The Importance of High Quality Discussion -- A series of three videos that explore the importance of high quality civic discussion and deliberation in the classroom featuring CPS leaders, teachers, and students.
Connect with CERG
For more information about CERG, feel free to visit their project website. You can also follow the team on Twitter @Ed4Democracy as well as sign up for their newsletter.