"Engaging Young People in Civic Life" by James Youniss, Peter Levine, Lee Hamilton

The thirteen original essays are based on research in schools and in settings beyond the schoolyard where civic life is experienced. One focus is on programs for those schools in poor communities that tend to overlook civic education. Another chapter reports on how two city governments–Hampton, Virginia, and San Francisco–have invited youth to participate on boards and in agencies.





The myth of generations of disengaged youth has been shattered by increases in youth turnout in the 2004, 2006, and 2008 primaries. Young Americans are responsive to effective outreach efforts, and this collection addresses how to best provide opportunities for enhancing civic learning and forming lasting civic identities.
A cluster of chapters focuses on the civic education programs in Canada and Western Europe, where, as in the United States, immigration and income inequality raise challenges to civic life.

Table of Contents
Foreword
Acknowledgments
Introduction
I. Youth and Schools
1. A "Younger Americans Act"
2. Democracy for Some
3. Principles That Promote Discussion of Controversial Political Issues in the Curriculum
II. Political Environments
4. Policies for Civic Engagement beyond the Schoolyard
5. Civic Participation and Development among Urban Adolescents
6. City Government as Enabler of Youth Civic Engagement
7. Local Political Parties and Young Voters
III. Policy Models from Other Nations
8. Youth Electoral Participation in Canada and Scandinavia
9. Civic Education in Europe
10. Strengthening Education for Citizenship and Democracy in England Conclusion
Contributors
Index