Education for democracy: Assessment of an Intervention that Integrates Political and Psychosocial Aims

This study assessed an educational program designed to enhance democratic values among junior high students. The program is counseling oriented and holistic, in that it aims at creating change on intrapersonal, interpersonal, and organizational levels as well as in the cognitive, affective, and behavioral realms. The research population encompassed 600 junior high students from six schools and 20 classrooms. A pre-posttest comparison was employed. Results of the intervention indicated an increase in democratic values, as revealed by attitudes toward school life; an enhanced democratic climate in the classroom; and a decrease in positive attitudes toward school. These findings have important implications regarding program implementation.