What aspects of adolescent development does the Critical Civic Inquiry Program support?
Click to download: “Igniting the fire within marginalized youth: The role of civic inquiry in fostering ethnic identity and civic efficacy.”
Article By: Carlos P. Hipolito-Delgado and Shelley Zion (2017); Brief By: Ashley Orr (2026)
DEFINITIONS Psychological Empowerment: predictor of psychological well-being, academic engagement, academic performance, and ability to be social change agents; Ethnic Identity: an individual’s sense of belonging to a specific group, sharing common cultural traits; Civic Self-Efficacy: belief in one’s own competence and
This article, published in Urban Education, explores how Critical Civic Inquiry (CCI) can foster psychological empowerment among marginalized high school students, particularly through increasing ethnic identity and civic self-efficacy. Researchers conducted a quasi-experimental study with high school students (primarily students of color and low-SES backgrounds) to examine whether participation in CCI influenced empowerment outcomes.
Three central themes emerged about how this approach impacted youth development:
Critical Civic Inquiry builds Psychological Empowerment
CCI is a student-centered, inquiry-based approach that encourages youth to explore social and educational inequities.
Critical Consciousness Development: Students learn to understand how historical, social, and political systems shape inequality. This encourages awareness of oppression and the ability to question dominant narratives and leads to greater civic engagement.
Ethnic Identity Growth: Youth develop a stronger sense of belonging and pride in their ethnic group. Identity development is especially important for marginalized youth whose identities are often devalued. Additionally, strong ethnic identity is a key predictor of empowerment.
Shift toward Active Engagement and Social Action
The program moves students from passive learning to active participation in social change.
Civic Self-Efficacy: Students gain confidence in their ability to address real-world problems, like organizing, planning, and advocating for change. Students learn to be able to identify issues in their schools, conduct research, and propose solutions, emphasizing problem-solving and collaboration with adults.
Social Action as a Goal: Empowerment is not just awareness, but more so, taking action to improve conditions. Students feel encouraged to participate in community and civic activities.
Importance of Supportive Relationships and Learning Environment
The structure of CCI plays a major role in its effectiveness.
Supportive Adults Relationships: Teachers and mentors share power with students rather than controlling learning. Positive relationships with adults and peers increase empowerment.
Student-Centered Learning: Moving away from traditional lecture-based teaching and instead encourages students to ask questions, explore issues, and co-create knowledge.
Critical Conversations: Open discussions about racism, inequality, and oppression are central. This helps students connect personal experiences to broader systemic issues.
Why This Matters
The findings of this study offer several practice implications for educators, counselors, and youth programs:
Promoting Empowerment in Education
Centering Student Voice: Classrooms should shift toward student-centered, participatory learning. Sharing power with students increases engagement and empowerment.
Integrating Critical Conversations: Schools should directly address social inequities rather than avoid them. Critical discussions help build awareness and motivation for change.
2. Supporting Identity Development
Fostering Ethnic Identity: Supporting cultural identity development is essential for marginalized youth. A strong identity is linked to well-being and empowerment.
Encouraging Critical Thinking: Inquiry-based learning helps students analyze their environment and challenge inequities.
3. Building Civic Engagement and Social Action
Developing Civic Skills: Youth should be given opportunities to practice leadership and advocacy. Schools can prepare students to be active participants in democracy.
Creating Opportunities for Action: Programs, like CCI, show that youth can meaningfully contribute to solving real issues. Engagement in social action strengthens long-term empowerment.
Learn More!
This work can inform social justice education with youth and help build stronger relationships and engagement with empowerment at the forefront. More of their work can be found at this website: https://www.transformativestudentvoice.net, including two books published, past publications, areas of research, and/or contacting them to learn more. Additionally, Denver Public Schools is a long-time partner to these researchers and has an office of student voice and leadership found here: https://svl.dpsk12.org. We are excited to have Dr. Zion as a network organizer in Y.A.R.N.!