This case study aimed to see what influence student government had in reducing behavioral write-ups, school violence and academic participation within a special high school. The study was conducted at a school located at a correctional facility among an all-male population between the ages of 16 to 17 years old. The school has been plagued with…

In recent years in the United States, women have been outpacing men on important college outcomes such as grade point average and degree attainment. While women have made strides in the last few decades, there are still important areas of higher education in which women are significantly underrepresented. In student government, women are vastly…

Building active and informed citizens is a major part of civics and citizenship education in order to enhance and sustain democracies. Civic learning and civic action opportunities within school contexts are commonly claimed to promote an active and informed citizenry. In the present research, we examine the meaning of formal civics education and…

The purpose of this mixed methods study is to examine the effects of student council involvement on academic performance and on school climate and culture. The quantitative research examines the impact between middle and high school students' involvement in student council and their grade point average. In addition, the quantitative research…

Citizenship education has evolved substantially in recent decades, with a rapid proliferation of education forms and approaches. The currently available evaluation studies, however, do not allow us to determine what kind of approach can be considered as a best practice for schools and education systems. In this article, we rely on the results of a…

The timeliness of civic education for American youth is discussed. Particular attention is given to the history of calls for civic education, the state of civic education in schools today, particularly those serving youth in disadvantaged contexts, and the specific ways in which schools can better address the civic education needs of contemporary…

Routine activities theory has not fully considered the role of gender in shaping victimization and yet, the research literature clearly demonstrates that gender is associated with an individual's risk of victimization. In addition to the pervasive effect of gender on victimization, gender shapes an individual's daily routines and thus may create a…

This article presents evidence designed to expand scholarly knowledge of how high school co-curricular activities generate the positive effects previous scholarship has found. Studies of empowerment across various fields identify a sense of autonomy, self-belief, self-expression, the ability to work together with diverse others, and a critical…

The impeachment of a high school student council president highlights issues involved in an adolescent confrontation with adult authority. The school administration representing the adult majority tended to stereotype the council president as representing the rebellious, irresponsible adolescent minority. Adults in authority need to learn to play…

Researchers have noted that the personal attributes of high school all-state participants have not been probed and have expressed surprise at this void in the music education literature (Cole, 1986; Fuller, 1989; Welker, 1997). The purpose of this study was to ascertain, through participant self-report data, the activities and accomplishments of…

Using panel data from the National Education Longitudinal Study of 1988 (NELS), the authors first analyze how civic engagement (measured in terms of community service and participation in student government) undertaken at the high school level varies across race/ethnicity and gender. The findings indicate that female high school students tend to…

Two high school students from Brooklyn, New York, suggest ways for public schools to overcome student apathy by allowing students to take an active role in student government. (Author/RM)

Describes the planning, implementation, and effects of a psychoeducational leadership training program designed for 15 high school girls elected to student council. Discusses how the program resulted in greater self-confidence and leadership among the participants and the assumption of greater responsibilities by council members in subsequent…

This book is concerned with stimulating student government and developing student responsibility in the school. The author's basic premise is that there are ways to strengthen even the weakest student structure so that it serves students in a school and leads the way to a new spirit of student involvement. The booklet looks at various student…

A survey of 130 high school principals in 3 southern states revealed alcohol abuse, insubordination, and other misbehavior as the major causes for excluding students from participation in school activities. The study also indicated that students have to meet disproportionately higher standards to participate in athletics, cheerleading, and student…