ABSTRACT
The authors reflect on prior research they conducted to understand young adolescents’ perceived barriers to civic action. Participants were rising Grades 6–9 students who participated in a five-day civics camp during the summer. They found the participants possessed the confidence and optimism to make a difference and simultaneously recognized how structures and discourses often block their progress. The authors believe action civics is a timely and effective approach to help revive student engagement in today’s social studies classrooms. Reflecting on the methods in their earlier research, the authors revisit the timing and organization of focus groups and recommend the consideration of students’ identities in the formation of focus groups. They conclude by articulating future directions for their research.
