The Impact of Action Civics Service-Learning on Eighth-Grade Students’ Civic Outcomes

Using both quantitative and qualitative data, the study discussed in this article examined the effects of participating in an action civics service-learning program on civic commitment and civic competence. The sample consisted of 393 eighth-grade students in three diverse middle schools from urban and rural contexts. Though previous research has demonstrated positive influences of service-learning on youth civic development, few studies have focused on younger adolescents and underrepresented populations, particularly Latino students. The results of this study indicated that a school-based action civics service-learning program may support the development of middle school students’ civic commitment and competence. A significant effect was found in relation to gender, with females reporting significantly higher levels of civic commitment and competence than males. The results demonstrated the complexity of developing civic dispositions, as project characteristics and implementation procedures influenced students’ participation levels and civic outcomes.