Results from a two-phase, cross-national study of citizenship education found that levels of civic knowledge among students in England are similar to the international average, and that students have an understanding of fundamental democratic values and institutions.
Source: David Kerr, Anne Lines, Sarah Blenkinshop and Ian Schagen, England's Results from the IEA International Citizenship Education Study: What Citizenship and Education Mean to 14 Year Olds, Research Report 375, Department for Education and Skills (0845 602 2260)
Links: Report (pdf) | Brief (pdf) | NFER press release
Date: 2002-Nov
A report on civil society in Wales called for 'a new focus on community governance, on the traditions, institutions and processes that determine how power is exercised, how citizens are given a voice, and how decisions are made on issues of public concern by the state and the private sector.'
Source: Civil Society, Civil Space, Wales Council for Voluntary Action (029 2043 1700)
Links: Report (pdf)
Date: 2002-Nov
The new chair of the Commission for Racial Equality reportedly said that all foreigners working in Britain should sit a citizenship test.
Source: The Independent, 19.9.02
Links: Independent article
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/4, Digest 124, paragraph 8.3
Date: 2002-Sep
Citizenship became a compulsory part of the national curriculum for secondary schools in England from September 2002.
Source: Press release 27.9.02, Department for Education and Skills (0870 000 2288)
Links: Press release
Date: 2002-Sep
A report argued that the teaching of citizenship can improve students motivation and attitude to learning, exclusion and attendance figures, and exam results.
Source: The Impact of Citizenship in Schools, Community Service Volunteers (020 7643 1314)
Links: CSV Home Page
Date: 2002-Sep
Just over half of secondary schools in a sample made effective use of the two-year lead-in time to implement citizenship as a statutory subject from September 2002, according to a report from the Office for Standards in Education.
Source: Citizenship: Survey Report: Preparation for the Introduction of Citizenship in Secondary Schools 2001-2002, HMI 730, Office for Standards in Education (07002 637833)
Links: Report (pdf) | Press release
Date: 2002-Jul
A pamphlet argued that a strong welfare state is incompatible with a vigorous civil society.
Source: Kenneth Minogue, Civil Society and David Blunkett: Lawyers vs. Politicians, Civitas (020 7401 5470)
Links: Summary
Date: 2002-Jul
The Scottish Executive published proposals for developing citizenship education for children aged 3-18.
Source: Education for Citizenship in Scotland: A paper for discussion and development, Scottish Executive, TSO (0870 606 5566)
Links: Paper (pdf)
Date: 2002-Jun
The government s Active Community Unit was relaunched, with a remit to focus more on deprived areas.
Source: Press release 29.5.02, Home Office (020 7273 4000)
Links: Home Office press release
Date: 2002-Jun
A report argued that citizenship education can help improve school attendance and results.
Source: The Impact of Citizenship in Schools, Community Service Volunteers (020 7643 1338)
Links: No link
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 30/2, Digest 118 (paragraph 10.4)
Date: 2002-May