Study objectives

ICCS employs recurring, representative surveys and cognitive tests in schools to generate insights into the structures, implementation and results of civic and citizenship education. ICCS enables international and longitudinal comparisons, as well as comparisons between different participant groups, e.g. different types of schools.

The study provides a basis for educational research and political socialisation research. It supports subject specific didactics and school pedagogy with empirical knowledge. Further, the results of ICCS are incorporated into education monitoring and education policy recommendations.

Relevance of ICCS

In view of current societal challenges such as the polarisation of political discourse, digitalisation of the public space and the transformation towards sustainability, ICCS provides scientifically sound representative data on civic and citizenship education. It enables empirical analyses of the implementation quality and development needs of all stakeholders involved.

The results of the study thus form a resource for evidence based decision making in the area of promoting civic and citizenship literacy among young people, including material develpment, curriculum and school reforms as well as teacher education and training.

Overview of content

The representative surveys conducted by ICCS are aimed at school principals, teachers and students in Grade 8. The following topics are covered in particular:

For pupils

Political knowledge, reasoning and applying
Experiences at school: learning opportunities, social relationships, participation, discrimination
Identification with social groups, school, country, Europe
Attitudes towards citizenship, democracy and society
Willingness to actively participate politically and in civil society

For teachers

Professional experience and qualifications
Perception of student conditions
Experienced support in the context of civic and citizenship education
Perceived threats in the context of civic and citizenship education
Beliefs about professional teaching

For school principals

Background data on the school context
Perception of social conditions in the school environment
Implementation of student participation at the school level
Opportunities to support civic and citizenship education at the school