February 8, 2012

Cambridge, MA – Undergraduates at Harvard’s Institute of Politics (IOP), located at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, have joined with the National Conference on Citizenship (NCoC) in releasing a report on the civic health of Massachusetts’ citizens. The 2011 Massachusetts Civic Health Index findings are based on analysis of U.S. Census Current Population Survey (CPS) data by the Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE).

The report, authored by Harvard students and edited by staff at NCoC – an organization chartered by Congress that began publishing “America’s Civic Health Index” in 2006 and partnering with local organizations to produce state-level reports in 2008 – explores current trends and rates of participation in Massachusetts relative to the nation. Civic health is measured by a wide range of indicators including: voter turnout, frequency of political discussion/activity, volunteering, involvement in community groups, and citizens’ engagement with others and efforts to solve problems within their community. The Index also puts forward a series of recommendations outlining how Massachusetts, its citizens and key stakeholders – institutions of higher learning in particular – can contribute to increased and sustained civic engagement and participation.

The new report finds 2010 volunteering levels in the Commonwealth exceeded the rate seen nationally (MA: 28.5%, U.S.: 26.3%), but Massachusetts ranked near the bottom nationwide when levels of engagement between neighbors were measured (46th). In addition, although Massachusetts’ 2010 voter turnout numbers were stronger than seen nationally (MA: 52.2%, U.S.: 45.5%), the state still ranked outside the top-ten (11th) when compared to other states for turnout in the recent midterm election.

“Our new student report on Massachusetts’ civic health is a real wake-up call, showing involvement in politics and our communities is waning,” said Trey Grayson, Director of Harvard’s Institute of Politics. “We know the political process works better when more voices participate. Hopefully, taking our temperature and seeing where improvements can be made will inspire real changes, a commitment to strengthen neighborhood connections and increased civic engagement.”

“The findings of the Massachusetts Civic Health Index reiterate the importance of providing ways for all of the Commonwealth’s residents to contribute their time, talents and voices to strengthen their communities,” said David B. Smith, Executive Director of NCoC. “While Massachusetts fares well on indicators such as voting and volunteering, there is still work to be done to ensure residents are connected to one another, making their voices heard, and working together to solve local problems.”

The 2011 Massachusetts Civic Health Index key findings include:

• Massachusetts is just outside the top-ten nationwide in 2010 voter turnout. Although Massachusetts’ citizens turned out at 2010 polling places at higher rates than the national average (45.5%), the Commonwealth’s voter turnout level of 52.2% earned only an 11th-best ranking.

• Engagement between Commonwealth neighbors is among the lowest nationally. When looking at activities considered to strengthen social connection, Massachusetts ranked 46th in the country among Americans self-reporting they help out neighbors at least a few times a week. (MA: 12.8%; U.S.: 15.2%)

• Massachusetts’ citizen rate of volunteering is above national levels and rising. In 2010, approximately 28.5% of Massachusetts residents volunteered, a proportion higher than seen nationally (MA: 28.5%; U.S.: 26.3%), earning the state the rank of 28th. The 2010 volunteering rate is also about two percentage points higher than in 2009.

• Massachusetts’ community collaboration is similar to the rate seen nationally. Looking at the degree to which the Commonwealth’s citizens work collaboratively on local issues – specifically how often citizens attend community meetings and work with neighbors to fix or improve something – Massachusetts’ proportion of 5.7% marginally exceeds the proportion nationally (4.7%). However, the percent of Massachusetts’ citizens attending community meetings between 2006 and 2010 was considerably higher than the national average (2006: MA – 12.4%, U.S. – 8.8%; 2010: MA – 11%, U.S. – 9.2%)

• Community group membership in Massachusetts is similar to national levels. When looking at the 2010 rate at which citizens belonged to one or more community groups involving religion, neighborhoods, schools, sports, etc., Massachusetts was similar to rates found nationally (MA: 34.5%; U.S.: 33.3%) earning a state ranking of 29th. However, the Commonwealth’s citizens held leadership positions at higher rates (10.7%) than seen nationwide (9.1%).

The Institute will continue to promote the reports as an educational resource for a variety of constituencies including the media, middle schools, high schools and universities, and government officials and policymakers including the Massachusetts Special Commission on Civic Engagement and Learning. “We hope these findings will lead to policy and investments that best support the civic participation of our residents, and therefore, strengthen our communities,” said NCoC’s David B. Smith.

The Institute coordinates civic engagement activities of twenty-three colleges and universities comprising the “National Campaign for Political and Civic Engagement,” an effort created in 2003 aiming to foster more politically and civically engaged campuses across the country.