This report will describe the achievement of our nation's fourth, eighth, and twelfth graders on reponses to questions about democratic principles as well as about the purposes, structure, and function of government. It will also examine their understanding of the political process and their rights and responsibiities under the law. Cross-sectional results also will be described for various subgroups of students and the relationships between achievement and instructional practices will de detailed. This report will additionally contain trend information for 13- and 17-year-olds about certain aspects of civics, particularly their understanding of democratic principles, the structure and function of government, the electoral process, and the law. These aspects were probed in previous NAEP assessments and those results will be linked to the 1988 data. The report will be prepared for the general public, educators, and officials and leaders interested in civics education.
