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Inside national service: AmeriCorps' impact on participants

Author

Listed:
  • Peter Frumkin

    (Professor of Public Affairs, Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs and Director, RGK Center for Philanthropy and Community Service, both at the University of Texas, Austin)

  • JoAnn Jastrzab

    (Principal Associate, Abt Associates)

  • Margaret Vaaler

    (Received her Ph.D. in sociology from the University of Texas, Austin)

  • Adam Greeney

    (Doctoral student in economics, University of Texas, Austin)

  • Robert T. Grimm

    (Director of Research and Policy Development, Corporation for National and Community Service)

  • Kevin Cramer

    (Deputy Director of Research and Policy Development, Corporation for National and Community Service)

  • Nathan Dietz

    (Research Associate|Statistician for the Office of Research and Policy Development at the Corporation for National and Community Service)

Abstract

This study examines the short- and long-term impact of AmeriCorps participation on members' civic engagement, education, employment, and life skills. The analysis compares changes in the attitudes and behaviors of participants over time to those of individuals not enrolled in AmeriCorps, controlling for interest in national and community service, member and family demographics, and prior civic engagement. Results indicate that participation in AmeriCorps led to positive impacts on members, especially in the area of civic engagement, members' connection to community, knowledge about problems facing their community, and participation in community-based activities. AmeriCorps had some positive impacts on its members' employment-related outcomes. Few statistically significant impacts were found for measures of participants' attitude toward education or educational attainment, or for selected life skills measures. Within a subset of community service programs that incorporate a residential component for members, the study also uncovered a short-term negative impact of participation on members' appreciation for ethnic and cultural diversity, which disappeared over time. The implications of these findings for future research on national service are discussed. © 2009 by the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management.

Suggested Citation

  • Peter Frumkin & JoAnn Jastrzab & Margaret Vaaler & Adam Greeney & Robert T. Grimm & Kevin Cramer & Nathan Dietz, 2009. "Inside national service: AmeriCorps' impact on participants," Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 28(3), pages 394-416.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:jpamgt:v:28:y:2009:i:3:p:394-416
    DOI: 10.1002/pam.20438
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ho, Daniel E. & Imai, Kosuke & King, Gary & Stuart, Elizabeth A., 2007. "Matching as Nonparametric Preprocessing for Reducing Model Dependence in Parametric Causal Inference," Political Analysis, Cambridge University Press, vol. 15(3), pages 199-236, July.
    2. Sascha O. Becker & Andrea Ichino, 2002. "Estimation of average treatment effects based on propensity scores," Stata Journal, StataCorp LP, vol. 2(4), pages 358-377, November.
    3. William Morgan & Matthew Streb, 2001. "Building Citizenship: How Student Voice in Service‐Learning Develops Civic Values," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 82(1), pages 154-169, March.
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    1. Bhanot, Syon P. & Crost, Benjamin & Leight, Jessica & Mvukiyehe, Eric & Yedgenov, Bauyrzhan, 2021. "Can community service grants foster social and economic integration for youth? A randomized trial in Kazakhstan," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 153(C).

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