Dissertation
Exploring the impact of comprehensive civic engagement on adolescent growth: a qualitative case study
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.), Drexel University
Dec 2019
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/rhgp-0p80
Abstract
Adolescence, which begins with the onset of puberty and ends with social and economic independence, is a critical time in identity formation. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore the impact of the experience gained from participation in a year-long comprehensive civic engagement program on the conscientization of the adolescent and its impact on their identity development, their self-knowledge and their civic responsibility. While there is increasing research on the positive impact of civic engagement programs on high school and college level students, research was needed specifically on civic engagement programs within middle school to assess whether they have a similar impact on younger adolescents. This study examined the impact of the Tzedek Program, a comprehensive civic engagement program for seventh graders, on its alumni one year, two years and three years after completion. The research was guided by the following central question: What is the impact of a year-long comprehensive civic engagement program on the identity development of the adolescent? And its sub-questions: (1) How do adolescent participants in a year-long comprehensive civic engagement program in an independent day school describe the essence of their experiences? (2) How do the alumni adolescent participants from a year-long comprehensive civic engagement program in an independent day school describe their ongoing interest in or commitment to community engagement? (3) How do parents of alumni adolescent participants from a year-long comprehensive civic engagement program in an independent day school describe their child's ongoing interest in or commitment to community engagement? Results of this study suggest grassroots civic engagement both within the classroom and within the community at large help adolescents to learn more about themselves, and to feel more connected to their larger community and to their peers who undergo the civic engagement with them. This study also suggests adolescents who undergo civic engagement feel a sense of gratitude, are empowered to become change-makers, and continue serving their community in the future. Further research needs to be conducted to see if the long-term impact of the Tzedek Program continues into the second half of high school and beyond.
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Details
- Title
- Exploring the impact of comprehensive civic engagement on adolescent growth
- Creators
- Jody Bloom - DU
- Contributors
- Joyce A. Pittman (Advisor) - Drexel University (1970-)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Number of pages
- 151 pages
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- School of Education (1997-2026); Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 11014; 991014632715704721