Socioeconomic dynamics in civic education: Exploring notions of citizenship among Brazilian eighth-grade students

This paper delves into the dynamics between classroom climate, student discussions, and citizenship perceptions in contemporary education, drawing from data sourced from the 2022 International Civic and Citizenship Study (ICCS) focusing on eighth-grade students in Brazil. Utilizing multilevel modeling, the study reveals that student influence in the decision-making process holds stronger predictive power over citizenship perceptions, particularly among students from low socioeconomic status (SES) backgrounds, surpassing other measures of civic education. Furthermore, socioeconomic disparities significantly shape student engagement with citizenship education, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions to address inequalities and promote inclusive civic education. These findings contribute to the discourse on effective strategies for nurturing informed, empowered citizens capable of engaging with complex societal issues.