The American School in the Political Socialization Process

Abstract

This review addresses the question: What is known from empirical studies about the effects of schooling on the political socialization of American youth? School-level and classroom-level attributes are related to four political socialization outcomes: political knowledge, political attitudes and values toward society and politics, attitudes toward political participation, and participation in political or quasi-political affairs. The school curriculum is found to be effective in transmitting knowledge but not in influencing attitudes; social status of students influences these relationships. Classroom climate and student participation in school activities, and the school organizational climate were main factors found related to student political attitudes.