CIRCLE - A nonpartisan research center studying youth civic engagement and civic education.

Fact sheets are short documents with basic information and graphs. So far, CIRCLE has generated fact sheets on the following subjects (organized by topic area).

Youth Demographics (Who are the 15-25s?)

2006 Youth Demographics: Based on Current Population Survey data. Compares the numbers of 18-25 year-old residents and citizens by gender, race, ethnicity, geographic distribution, marital status, military status, unemployment, educational attainment, and assesses population trends from 1968-2006.
Immigrant Youth Demographics: Based on Current Population Survey data. Compares the numbers of 18-25 year-old immigrants by nativity status, gender, race, ethnicity, geographic distribution, country of origin, year of arrival, marital status, educational attainment, and assesses population trends from 1994-2006.

Political Participation and Voting

State Election Law Reform and Youth Voter Turnout: Based on the Current Population Surveydata (November supplement). Discusses the effect of state election law reform ( election day registration (EDR), absentee voting and longer polling hours) on the youth vote.
The Youth Vote in 2008: Based on the Current Population Survey data (November Supplement). Discusses the youth voter turnout in the 2008 Presidential Election by age, race, educational attainment and geographic region.
The Youth Vote in the 2008 Super Tuesday States: Based on exit poll data provided by Edison/Mitofsky this fact sheet analyzes the demographic make-up of each state’s young voters by party. One in four eligible young voters with college experience voted on Super Tuesday, compared with one in 14 eligible young voters with no college experience. Additionally it provides information on young people’s top issues and vote choices. Voter turnout data is also presented.
The Youth Vote in the 2008 Early Contests (NH, NV, NI, SC, & FL): Based on exit poll data provided by Edison/Mitofsky this fact sheet analyzes the demographic make-up of each state’s young voters by party. Additionally it provides information on young people’s top issues and vote choices. Voter turnout data is also presented.
The Youth Vote in the 2008 IA Caucus: Based on exit poll data provided by Edison/Mitofsky this fact sheet analyzes the demographic make-up of each party’s young caucus-goers. Additionally it provides information on young people’s top issues and vote choices. Voter turnout data is also presented.
Quick Facts About Young Voters by State - The Primary Election Season 2008: Using Current Population Survey data, these fact sheets present selected demographic characteristics of young voters and historical voter turnout trends. Click here to see the list of available state fact sheets.
Voter Registration Among Young People: This fact sheet presents data on voter registration rates from 1972-2006. This fact sheet also contains information on how citizens register to vote and, if they do not register to vote, the reasons why some do not register to vote.
Young Urban Voters in the Midterm Election Year 2006: Based on 2006 Current Population Survey data. This fact sheet presents information on the youth voter turnout rate in urban, suburban, and rural areas. A table with the rankings of youth voter turnout by metropolitan areas is also available.
Quick Facts About Young Voters by Metropolitan Area: The Midterm Election Year 2006: Based on1972-2006 Current Population Survey data and National Election Pool, National Exit Poll. This fact sheet includes information on voter turnout by demographic variables for 29 Metropolitan areas.
Quick Facts About Young Voters by State: The Midterm Election Year 2006: Based on1972-2006 Current Population Survey data and National Election Pool, National Exit Poll. This fact sheet includes information on voter turnout trend lines, voter turnout by demographic variables, and partisanship for EACH STATE.
Youth Voter Turnout Increases in 2006: Based on 1972-2006 Current Population Survey data and National Election Pool, National Exit Poll. This fact sheet includes information on voter turnout trend lines, voter turnout by demographic variables, voter turnout by state, and partisanship.
Young Voters in the 2006 Elections: Based on 1992-2006 National Election Pool, National Exit Poll. Compares youth and adult voters. Multiple voter turnout measures are also compared. Provides information on voting trends and attitudes of young voters.
Quick Facts about Young Voters: 2006: Based on 1974-2006 Current Population Survey data and the 2006 Civic and Political Health of the Nation Survey. Provides information on young voters in the midterm elections. For state-by-state analysis click here.
The Youth Vote 2004: Based on 1972-2004 Current Population Survey data. Compares voter turnout for 18-24 year olds and 18-29 year olds to that of older voters.
The New Face of America’s Social-Issues Voters: Based on the National Election Pool (NEP) national exit poll. Presents data on the role that “moral values” played in the 2004 youth vote.
Quick Facts on Young Voters: 2004: Based on 1972-2004 Current Population Survey data. Provides quick summary of voting statistics from the 2004 election.
Youth Voter Turnout in the States during the 2004 Presidential and 2002 Midterm Elections: Based on 1972-2004 Current Population Survey data. Shows a substantial variation in voter turnout rates by state in the 2002 and 2004 elections.
Voter Turnout Among Young Women and Men: Based on 1972-2004 Current Population Survey data, 2004 NEP exit poll data, and CEG/CIRCLE National Youth Survey 2004 data. Provides information on one measure of civic engagement, voter turnout, across men and women. Also highlights some of the similarities and differences between young women and young men in their attitudes towards voting.
Electoral Engagement Among Minority Youth: Based on 1972-2004 Current Population Survey data, 2004 NEP exit poll data, and the CEG/CIRCLE Youth Survey 2004. Presents data on the characteristics of the youth population and youth voting trends through 2004 by race and ethnicity.
Electoral Engagement Among Non-College Attending Youth: Based on 1972-2004 Current Population Survey data, 2004 NEP exit poll data, and the CEG/CIRCLE Youth Survey 2004. Provides information on the voting rates of non-college attending youth.
College students in the 2004 Election: Based on a survey of of 1,200 college students designed by Professor Richard Niemi of
the University of Rochester and Professor Michael Hanmer of Georgetown University. Reports on college students voting choices in the 2004 presidential election.
State Voter Registration and Election Day Laws: Based on CIRCLE Working Papers 01 and 15. Compares states’ voter registration laws and the effects state voting laws have on turnout.
How Young People Expressed Their Political Views in 2006: Based on CIRCLE’s “Civic and Political Health of the Nation” surveys (2002 and 2006).
Electoral Engagement Among Latino Youth: Based on Current Population Survey data and CIRCLE National Youth Survey 2002 data.

Community Participation

Volunteering Among Youth of Immigrant Origin: Uses the Current Population Survey (CPS) September Voluntee Supplement for 2008. This fact sheet includes information on volunteering and civic engagement among youth or immigrant origin.
Volunteering Among Non-College Youth: Uses the Current Population Survey (CPS) September Volunteer Supplement for 2006. This fact sheet includes information on how volunteers become involved in an organization, trends in the volunteer rate, types of volunteer activities, median volunteer hours, and volunteer rates by geographical region.
College Experience and Volunteering: Uses the Current Population Survey (CPS) September Volunteer Supplement for 2006. This fact sheet includes information on how volunteers become involved in an organization, trends in the volunteer rate, types of volunteer activities, median volunteer hours, and volunteer rates by geographical region.
Volunteering Among High School Students: Uses the Current Population Survey (CPS) September Volunteer Supplement for 2006. This fact sheet includes information on how volunteers become involved in an organization, trends in the volunteer rate, types of volunteer activities, median volunteer hours, and volunteer rates by geographical region.

How Individuals Begin Volunteering:

Uses the Current Population Survey (CPS) September Volunteer Supplement for 2003, administered by the Bureau of the Census and the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Offers a breakdown of how volunteers initially become involved in volunteer activity by state and age group.

Time Spent in Volunteer Activity: 2002 and 2003: Uses two data sets, CIRCLE’s Civic and Political Health survey of 2002 and the Current Population Survey (CPS) September Volunteer Supplements for 2002 and 2003, administered by the Bureau of the Census and the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Offers a breakdown of time spent in volunteer activity by states and age groups.
Youth Volunteering in the States: 2002 and 2006: Uses the Current Population Survey (CPS) September Volunteer Supplements from 2002-2006, administered by the Bureau of the Census and the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Offers a breakdown of volunteer rates by states and age groups.
Volunteering Among Young People: Based on a variety of data sources including CIRCLE’s 2006 Civic & Political Health of the Nation survey, Monitoring the Future data from 1976-2005, HERI data from 1984-2005, & NELS data from 1988. Compares youth volunteering with that of other generations, tracks high school & college student volunteering over time, and breaks down youth volunteering for organizations by organization type.

See also: How Young People Express their Political Views and the section Group Membership and Social Networks

Youth Attitudes and Beliefs

Attitudes of Young People Toward Diversity: Based on the National Election Study 1972-2002, the General Social Survey 1972-2002, the 2004 National Youth Survey, the Social Capital Survey, 2002, the IEA Civic Education Study, 2002, and The Civic and Political Health of the Nation Survey, 2002. Summarizes young people’s attitudes toward three groups that are sometimes targets of intolerance: gays, immigrants, and racial minorities.
Adolescents’ Trust and Civic Participation in the United States: Analysis of Data from the IEA Civic
Education Study: Based on data from the IEA Civic Education study. Compares American youth’s levels of trust with that of youth from four countries of varying political history. Also, examines how trust relates to expectations of future civic participation.
Youth Attitudes Toward Civic Education and Community Service Requirements: Based on CEG/CIRCLE Youth Survey 2002 data.See also: Attention to Media and Trust in Media Sources

News & Entertainment Media

Television Consumption and Civic Engagement Among 15 to 25 Year Olds: Based on data from the Civic and Political Health of the Nation surveys (2002 and 2006), this fact sheet compares levels of television consumption with the 19 indicators of civic engagement.
Media Use Among Young People in 2006: Based on data from the Civic and Political Health of the Nation surveys (2002 and 2006), General Social Survey, and Monitoring the Future. Tracks trends in media use.
Attention to Media and Trust in Media Sources: Based on data from the IEA Civic Education study. Compares American youth’s exposure to media, use of media, and trust in government and media sources, and political knowledge with that of youth from other developed nations.
Young People and Political Campaigning on the Internet: Based on CEG/CIRCLE Youth Survey 2004. Compares support for different online campaign techniques by generation.

K-12 Civic Education

An Assessment of Civic Engagement and Educational Attainment: Civically-engaged teenagers make greater scholastic progress during high school and subsequently acquire higher levels of education than their otherwise similar peers.
Federal Policies for Civic Education and Service: Describes current federal laws and appropriations.
The Effects of Civic Education on Civic Skills: Based on author’s Ph.D. Dissertation, “Civic Skills and Civic Education: An Empirical Assessment,” University of Maryland School of Public Policy, 2005.
How Teachers’ Preparation Relates to Students’ Civic Knowledge and Engagement in the United States: Analysis from the IEA Civic Education Study: Based on IEA data. Examines how teachers are prepared to provide civic education as well as their attitudes toward civic education.
Strengths and Weaknesses in U.S. Students’ Knowledge and Skills: Analysis from the IEA Civic Education Study: Based on IEA data. Reports American student performance on knowledge measures in relation to the international mean, home background, topics studied in school, and attitudes about types of civic participation.
Themes Emphasized in Social Studies and Civics Classes: Based on CEG/CIRCLE Youth Survey 2004.
Civics Curriculum and Civic Skills: Recent Evidence: Based on IEA Civic Education study and NHES data from 1999. Reports civics topics studied by 9th graders and tracks students who are required to pay attention to government by grade. Reports relationships between certain civics topics with outcomes and skills.See also: Youth Attitudes Towards Civic Education and Community Service Requirements

Service-Learning

Service-Learning in K-12 Public Education: Based on surveys by National Youth Leadership Council, National Center for Education Statistics, and Fred Newmann and Robert Rutter. Offers a glimpse at the state of service-learning in public education today.

Non-College Youth

Civic Engagement Among Non-College Attending Youth: Based on 1972-2004 Current Population Survey data, 2004 NEP exit poll data, and the CEG/CIRCLE Youth Survey 2004. Provides information on the voting rates of non-college attending youth.

Group Membership and Social Networks

Religious Service Attendance and Civic Engagement Among 15 to 25 Year Olds: Based on the 2006 Civic and Political Health of the Nation Survey (CIRCLE).
Participation in Sports and Civic Engagement: Based on the 2002 CIRCLE National Youth Survey.
Characteristics of Group Membership Among Young People

: Based on Social Capital Community Benchmark Survey 2000 data, CIRCLE Civic & Political Health 2002 Survey. Compares youth membership by type of group and by members’ gender, race/ethnicity, educational level, & political ideology.

Group Membership and Group Involvement Among Young People

: Based on Social Capital Community Benchmark Survey 2000 data, CIRCLE Civic & Political Health 2002 Survey. Compares membership by type of group with age.

Race, Gender, Marital and Immigrant Status

Marital Status and Civic Engagement Among 18-25 Year Olds: Based on the Civic and Political Health of the Nation Survey (CIRCLE), 2006, and Current Population Survey data. Provides information on marriage rates and civic engagement by marital status.
Civic Engagement Among Young Men and Women: Based on the Civic and Political Health of the Nation Survey (CIRCLE), 2002 and 2006, Current Population Survey data, and Monitoring the Future data. Provides information on the 19 measures of civic engagement across men and women.
Civic Engagement Among Minority Youth: Based on the Civic and Political Health of the Nation Survey (CIRCLE), 2002 and 2006, Current Population Survey data, and Monitoring the Future data. Provides information on the 19 measures of civic engagement across race and ethnicity.
Voter Turnout Among Young Women and Men: Based on 1972-2004 Current Population Survey data, 2004 NEP exit poll data, and CEG/CIRCLE National Youth Survey 2004 data. Provides information on one measure of civic engagement, voter turnout, across men and women. Also highlights some of the similarities and differences between young women and young men in their attitudes towards voting.
Electoral Engagement Among Minority Youth: Based on 1972-2004 Current Population Survey data, 2004 NEP exit poll data, and the CEG/CIRCLE Youth Survey 2004. Presents data on the characteristics of the youth population and youth voting trends through 2004 by race and ethnicity.
Electoral Engagement Among Latino Youth: Based on Current Population Survey data and CIRCLE National Youth Survey 2002 data.

Higher Education

College Attendance and Civic Engagement Among 18 to 25 Year Olds: Uses data from the Current Population Survey November Supplements (1984 to 2004) and the 2006 Civic and Political Health of the Nation Survey.
Civic Engagement among Recent College Graduates: Based on data from Baccalaureate and Beyond 2000/2001 Longitudinal Survey and from the Current Population Survey September Supplements (1995 and 2005).
Civic Engagement among 2-year and 4-year College Students: Looks closely at the civic engagement of community college students. Uses data from National Educational Longitudinal Study of 1988 (NELS:88).
Higher Education and Civic Engagement: Summary (this fact sheet is a summary of key points from the above three documents)

Additional Resources

Voter turnout time series 1972-2004 (excel spreadsheet)
A Powerpoint Presentation with information on how young Latinos are participating in political life (March 2002).
A Powerpoint Presentation with graphs on many aspects of youth civic engagement (Nov. 2002).
Youth Civic Engagement: Snapshots of Attitudes, Influences and Opportunities, based on a survey of 1,500 young Americans (January 2002)
A press release on the state of youth civic engagement in January, 2002.
A set of graphs illustrating major trends in youth civic engagement since the late 1960s.
A set of graphs illustrating youth knowledge and attitudes shortly after Sept. 11, 2001.

Archived Fact Sheets

How Young People Express Their Political Views: Based on CIRCLE Civic & Political Health 2002 survey.
Volunteering Among Young People: Based on a variety of data sources including CIRCLE’s 2002 Civic & Political Health of the Nation survey, Monitoring the Future data from 1976-2001, HERI data from 1984-2001, & NELS data from 1988. Compares youth volunteering with that of other generations, tracks high school & college student volunteering over time, and breaks down youth volunteering for organizations by organization type.
Youth Voter Turnout in the States During the 2000 Presidential and 2002 Midterm Elections: Based on Current Population Survey data from 1972, 1978, 2000, & 2002. Compares turnout among 18-24 year-olds with the general population in each of the states.
Youth Voter Turnout has Declined, by Any Measure: Based on Census Current Population Survey data. Tracks the decline in youth voting since 1972.
Youth& Adult Voter Turnout From 1972-2002: Based on Census Current Population Survey data. Compares turnout for 18-25 year olds & 18-29 year olds to that of older voters.
Quick Summary of Voting Statistics from the 2000 Election: Based on the 2000 Current Population Survey. Includes estimates of eligible young voters, registered young voters, and youth turnout.
Youth Voting in the 2004 Election: Based on national and state exit polls conducted by Edison/Mitofsky and vote tallies from the Associated Press which are the only available data on voters in the 2004 election. Estimates youth voter turnout in the 2004 election.
Youth Voter Turnout 1992-2004: Estimates from Exit Polls: Based on national and state exit polls conducted by Edison/Mitofsky and vote tallies from the Associated Press which are the only available data on voters in the 2004 election. Estimates youth voter turnout in the 2004 election.
The 2004 Presidential Election and Young Voters: Based on pre-election polls by the Pew Research Center, Newsweek/GenNEXT, and MTV/CIRCLE. Provides information about young voters and their interest in the upcoming 2004 presidential election.
Youth Voting in the 2004 Battleground States: Based on Current Population Survey demographic data from 1992, 1996, 2000, & 2004; VNS data from 1996 & 2000; and VRS data from 1992. Provides demographic information about the size of the youth electorate in battleground states and past patterns of youth voting in those states.
Youth Voter Turnout in the States During the 1998 Midterm and 2000 Presidential Elections: Based on Current Population Survey data for 1972, 1978, 1998, & 2000.
Youth Voting in the 2004 Democratic Primaries: Based on 2004 exit poll data from National Election Pool, 2000 exit poll data from Voter News Service, 2000 primary election rules from Federal Election Commission, and phone interviews conducted in 2004 with Secretaries of State.
College Attendance and Civic Engagement: Based mainly on data collected in the National Civic Engagement Survey (Spring 2002). Examines the link between college experience and civic engagement, including breakdowns by gender.
Media Use Among Young People: Based on CIRCLE Civic & Political Health 2002 survey, GSS data from 1972-2000. Tracks trends in media consumption by age groups and media type.