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The Making of Civic Virtues: A School-Based Experiment in Three Countries

Author

Listed:
  • Simon Briole
  • Marc Gurgand
  • Éric Maurin
  • Sandra McNally
  • Jenifer Ruiz-Valenzuela
  • Daniel Santín

Abstract

This paper shows that schools can foster the transmission of civic virtues by helping students to develop concrete, democratically chosen, collective projects. We draw on an RCT implemented in 200 middle schools in three countries. The program leads students to conduct citizenship projects in their communities under the supervision of teachers trained in the intervention. The intervention caused a decline in absenteeism and disciplinary sanctions at school, alongside improved academic achievement. It also led students to diversify their friendship network. The program has stronger effects when implemented by teachers who are initially more involved in the life of the school.

Suggested Citation

  • Simon Briole & Marc Gurgand & Éric Maurin & Sandra McNally & Jenifer Ruiz-Valenzuela & Daniel Santín, 2025. "The Making of Civic Virtues: A School-Based Experiment in Three Countries," American Economic Journal: Economic Policy, American Economic Association, vol. 17(3), pages 496-521, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:aea:aejpol:v:17:y:2025:i:3:p:496-521
    DOI: 10.1257/pol.20230612
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    Cited by:

    1. Simon Briole & Augustin Colette & Emmanuelle Lavaine, 2023. "The Heterogeneous Effects of Lockdown Policies on Air Pollution," Working Papers hal-04084912, HAL.
    2. Romaniuc, Rustam & Guido, Andrea & Baudry, Pierre & Bazart, Cécile & Berger, Loïc & Berlin, Noémi & Bonein, Aurélie & Bouhlel, Imen & My, Kene Boun & Chessa, Michela & Crosetto, Paolo & Dagorn, Etienn, 2025. "The limits of behavioral nudges to increase youth turnout: Experimental evidence from two French elections," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 236(C).
    3. Sahlström, Ellen & Silliman, Mikko, 2024. "The Extent and Consequences of Teacher Biases against Immigrants," IZA Discussion Papers 16899, IZA Network @ LISER.
    4. Sistelo, Marta & Mazeda Gil, Pedro, 2025. "Culture & social capital: creation of human capital and economic growth," MPRA Paper 126644, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised Oct 2025.

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • I26 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Returns to Education
    • I28 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Government Policy
    • Z13 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Economic Sociology; Economic Anthropology; Language; Social and Economic Stratification

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