The Next Generation of Citizens. NAEP Civics Assessments--1988 and 1998.

Civics education in the nation's schools informs students about the structures, functions, and processes of government and about the meaningful ways in which citizens can make decisions about public issues and participate in governance. This report, part of the Nation's Report Card program and based on findings from the 1998 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), provides a view of student achievement in civics over a 10-year period from 1988 to 1998. In 1998, NAEP conducted two national assessments of student civics knowledge in grades 4, 8, and 12. One assessment employed a set of new test specifications, while the other assessment was a special study that repeated a number of multiple-choice test questions used in 1988. The special study results are reported here as a summary of trends in student knowledge and classroom teacher practices over the 10-year period. Results are based on the assessment of a student sample at each grade that is statistically representative of the entire nation. Student performance is described in terms of average percentage correct, rather than the traditional NAEP scaled scores. The report provides results for subgroups of students defined by various background and contextual characteristics. Analysis focuses on differences between 1988 and 1998, rather than differences among groups within each year. To illustrate the civics knowledge that was assessed, numerous samples of test questions are provided. The report also explores trends in the classroom coverage of civics topics from 1988 to 1998, as well as trends in classroom instructional activities over the decade. Four appendices are included: (1) "Overview of Procedures Used in the 1988 and 1998 NAEP Civics Special Study"; (2) "Standard Errors"; (3) "Average Percentage Correct"; and (4) "Members of the NAEP Civics Standing Committee." (Contains approximately 95 tables and figures.) (BT)