CIRCLE Fact Sheet: Civic Engagement and Educational Progress in Young Adulthood

This analysis of national longitudinal data shows that there is a relationship between educational progress and civic engagement for young adults. Those who make academic progress over a four-year period during their young adult lives are more likely to vote, to volunteer, to use media for information about current events, and to desire to contribute to the common good than those who do not make academic progress. These relationships held for young adults from disadvantaged (families earned less than $40,000 per year) and advantaged backgrounds. The data are drawn from a longitudinal study of young adults with an interest in community service. Participants were either AmeriCorps State and National members or comparison group members (investigated but did not join AmeriCorps). Overall, four forms of civic engagement and attitudes were positively linked with educational progress, regardless of whether one’s family of origin earned more or less than the median income.