Practice is the mechanism: discussion, student government, and service activities can convert institutional knowledge into speaking, organizing, and cooperation skills while daily school rules communicate norms about authority and fairness.

Compare students exposed to a civic practice with similar peers while accounting for family background and prior interest.

School effects can arise from curriculum, classroom discussion, student government, service activities, or the credentials and networks education provides. Because students and schools differ before instruction begins, a simple education-participation correlation is not decisive. Stronger studies identify the particular school experience and compare students with similar prior interest, family resources, and opportunity.

Video lesson: Political socialization | US government and civics | Khan Academy