Authors

• International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA)
• Suutarinen, Sakari (University of Jyväskylä)
• Törmäkangas, Kari (University of Jyväskylä. Institute for Educational Research)
• Puhakka, Eija (University of Jyväskylä. Institute for Educational Research)

Keywords

citizenship skills, civic education, curriculum, democracy, equal opportunity, government role, immigrants, lower secondary education, national identity, political attitudes, political behaviour, political participation, schoolchildren, trust in government

Abstract

The survey charted the knowledge and attitudes of eighth and ninth graders in the field of history and civics, and it was conducted as part of the IEA's (International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement) international Civic Education Study. The study was conducted in altogether 28 countries.

The respondents' conceptions on democracy and political system were charted. Trust in various social institutions was explored, as well as opinions on various issues (e.g. Finland, immigrants, political system, school, curriculum, characteristics of a good citizen). Participation in school life was also canvassed.

Background variables included the respondent's gender, year of birth, household size, and parents' education. In addition, the respondents were asked whether they were newspaper subscribers, how many books they had at their home, whether they had participated in the activities of various organisations, how often they met their friends, and how much time they allocated to watching television or videos on an average school day.

Additional background information was obtained from the data files on schools and teachers.