Institute Receives Gates Foundation Grant for Civic Education Study

The Annette Strauss Institute has released its report "Civics Not Government." The report is the result of a three part study funded by a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to research the impact of civic education on the lives of students.

Coming to a common understanding of what citizenship is provides a challenge to researchers and educators alike. Most agree that the key to creating productive citizens lies in a combination of attitudes, skills, and knowledge. Yet researchers, educators, and administrators do not always agree on what is essential and whether what is being taught actually prepares students for lives as functioning citizens. To fi ll this gap the Annette Strauss Institute conducted a three-part study to assess the attitudes, skills, and, knowledge required for citizenship. Using national focus groups of teachers, business people, civil servants and students, the study examines the differences in perceptions of what it means to be prepared for citizenship.

Director Roderick Hart notes, “The study is a crucial first step in understanding the interplay of civic education and life skills. Many have made an assumption that civic education matters; it is our goal to get a more precise understanding of how schools turn students into citizens. Civic education does more than serve the community; it serves students themselves. An understanding of government and citizenship are crucial to participation in daily life.”

For a copy of the report Click Here

Read More about the Gates Announcement Here

Visit the Gates Foundation Web site