The implications of ideology on teachers' beliefs regarding civic education

This study analyzes data from middle and high school teachers in Missouri to determine their civic education ideology, across conservative, liberal, or critical notions within the United States' context. The researchers explored the relationship between teachers' ideologies and system justification, as well as their beliefs regarding which civic behaviors should be emphasized the classroom. Findings indicate that stronger conservative and liberal civic education ideologies relate to greater levels of system justification while favoring teaching of more passive forms of citizenship. However, critical civic education ideology is negatively associated with system justification and aligned with active forms of civic participation. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.