CIRCLE (The Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement) conducts research on the civic and political engagement of young Americans.
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The Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement
CIRCLE (The Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement) offers research on the youth civic engagement in four principal formats for use by researchers, practitioners, educators, and the press.
Fact sheets provide a quick overview on a particular issue in the field of civic engagement, and more in-depth analyses are available through CIRCLE’s working papers, special reports, and books. The Around the CIRCLE newsletter is designed to provide you with snapshots of the latest research on youth civic engagement and civic education. Unedited survey results and other quantitative material is available through the raw data sets.
The “Around the CIRCLE” newsletter is designed to provide you with snapshots of the latest research on youth civic engagement and civic education. We are no longer producing a hardcopy CIRCLE newsletter, but you can sign up for the CIRCLE e-update for monthly research snapshots.
Special reports and books are unique offerings from CIRCLE. These publications haven been written by CIRCLE staff, grantees, and other research partners. These special release products provide and in-depth look at current civic engagement policies, programs, and trends.
by Peter Levine, Mark Hugo Lopez, and Karlo Barrios Marcelo
American’s Civic Health Index 2008: Beyond the Vote
by the National Conference on Citizenship (NCOC), The Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and
Engagement (CIRCLE), and the Harvard University’s Saguaro Seminar: Civic Engagement in America
Short-Term Impacts, Long-Term Opportunities
by CIRCLE and The Center for Democracy & Citizenship and The Partnership for Trust in Government at the Council for Excellence in Government
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).
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.
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 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.
Quick Facts on Young Voters: 2004: Based on 1972-2004 Current Population Survey data. Provides quick summary of voting statistics from the 2004 election.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
: 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.
: 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.
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).
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& 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.
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 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.
The Working Paper Series contains the most up-to-date research findings from
CIRCLE-funded grants. The series was developed to encourage discussion and critical comments that will further our understanding of the civic and political lives of young people. Authors welcome your feedback. E-mail addresses for all authors can be found on the cover of their respective working paper
Unedited survey results and other quantitative materials are available through the raw data sets.
The following data are now available, and more will be released in the future. Select data sets can be analyzed either with our online software, SDA, or by downloading raw datafiles in STATA version 6.0, SPSS Portable File, or SAS Transport File format.
Our data can now be statistically analyzed and viewed online using the Survey Documentation and Analysis program on our server. SDA is a set of programs designed to provide online access and manipulation of statistical data. For a visual PowerPoint presentation on how to use SDA click here.
For those interested in General Social Survey or National Election Study data, a convenient interface can be found on the Survey Documentation and Analysis page via the University of California, Berkeley.
A good source for data on Internet usage is this Webpage, operated by the Department of Sociology at the University of Maryland.
Promising Practices Boost Students’ Civic Knowledge, But Gaps Remain
Research Highlights
In this new fact sheet, we explore who had access to three of the promising practices, whether these instructional practices were associated with higher NAEP Civics scores, and whether the effects of these practices varied for different demographic groups.
RESEARCH PRODUCTS 
