Review of the effects of citizenship education

Based on the assumption that schools can play a significant role in the citizenship development of students, in most contemporary modern societies schools are obligated to provide citizenship education. However, the effectiveness of different forms of citizenship education is still unclear. From the empirical literature on citizenship over the period of 2003–2009 28 articles were selected on effects of citizenship education on students’ citizenship. Our review showed the political domain of citizenship to be emphasized more than the social domain. An open and democratic classroom climate in which discussion and dialogue takes place appears to effectively promote the development of citizenship among secondary school students. Moreover, a formal curriculum that includes citizenship projects and courses also appears to be an effective type of citizenship education. The effects of citizenship education are discussed in relation to the quality of the studies reviewed.

• We examined effects of citizenship education on secondary education students.
• Twenty-eight empirical effect studies were reviewed.
• The political domain of citizenship was emphasized more than the social domain.
• An open pedagogical climate and formal school curricula appeared to be effective.
• The research domain of citizenship education is still developing.