Theorizing Citizenship and Evaluating Public Achievement

Abstract

Researcher (R): How has doing Public Achievement (PA) changed the way you think about yourself? Casey (pseudonym for an elementary school student): I am less lonely now that I have done Public Achievement . R: Really, that's interesting, what is it in PA makes you less lonely? Casey: Well, people used to think that I am kinda weird here, and I am different. I like playing in the woods and stuff by myself and doing my own kind of stuff . R: And people think of you as less weird when you do PA? Casey: Yeah, they even give awards to kids like me in PA . R: Wow! It sounds like you are a leader in PA. Casey: Yeah, I really like doing PA. R: Let me see if I am hearing you right, before PA people thought that you were weird, and now that you have done PA, people look at you differently? Casey: Yeah . R: How do you think they look at you differently now? Casey: They look at me as a citizen . R: As a citizen, what does it mean for them to look at you as a citizen? Casey: Like I am more of an equal, they listen to what I have to say . This dialogue, filled with civic promise, is typical of the many conversations I have had with young participants in reflecting upon their experiences in Public Achievement.