Survey of Civic Learning Opportunities for Out-of-School Youth in the Adult Education and Literacy System. CIRCLE Working Paper 34

For many young people, adult education offers a "second chance" to obtain a high school credential, to develop literacy skills, or to succeed in a new country and a new language. With more support, it can also represent a second chance for youth to develop civic knowledge and skills and lifelong patterns of civic engagement. The aim of this study is to lead to further collaborations between policymakers and adult literacy educators. Prior to the research performed in this study, no national study of the civics education and civic engagement practices of this group of young learners had been undertaken. To begin to map this terrain, CIRCLE asked staff in the Literacy and Lifelong Learning Program at SRI International to conduct a literature review and initial survey of adult literacy programs that serve youth and offer some form of civics-related education or civic engagement activities. After presenting the findings of the review and survey, the report draws on the findings, as well as on the recommendations of The Civic Mission of Schools, to suggest key areas where further work by practitioners, researchers, and policymakers is most needed. The appendices include a bibliography of recommended curriculum materials, instructional resources, and Web sites compiled from the literature and from survey results. [This Working Paper was produced by the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE), University of Maryland.]