Young People's Perceptions of Europe in a Time of Change: IEA International Civic and Citizenship Education Study 2016 European Report

The IEA’s International Civic and Citizenship Education Study (ICCS) investigates the ways in which young people are prepared to undertake their roles as citizens in a range of countries in the second decade of the 21st century. ICCS 2016 is the second cycle of a study initiated in 2009. This report from ICCS focuses on data collected in the 15 countries that participated in the study’s 2016 European regional questionnaire. It reveals lower secondary school students’ views on European identity, their perceptions of freedom of movement and immigration, and their opinions of Europe and its future. It also, for the 12 European countries that participated in both ICCS 2009 and ICCS 2016, looks at changes across this time period, in young people’s perceptions of immigration and European identity. Comparison with the complete international study will enable readers to review the extent to which region-specific perceptions are related to other factors, such as students’ level of civic knowledge and social or educational contexts. Over the past 50 years, the IEA has conducted comparative research studies in a range of domains focusing on educational policies, practices, and outcomes in many countries around the world. The association conducted its first survey of civic education in 1971. The reliable comparative data collected by ICCS 2016 will allow education systems to evaluate the strengths of educational policies, both internationally and within a regional context, and to measure their progress toward achieving critical components of the United Nations’ 2030 agenda for sustainable development.

Executive Summary -- 1. General Overview -- 2. Students’ Perceptions of Their Being European and Students’ Opportunities to Learn about Europe at School -- 3. Students’ Attitudes toward Freedom of Movement and Immigration in Europe -- 4. Students’ Perceptions of Europe and the Future of Europe -- 5. Main Findings and Implications for Policy and Practice -- Appendices.