The 2010 Civic Health Index is based on The Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement's (CIRCLE) analysis of Census Current Population Survey (CPS) data. Volunteering estimates are from CPS September Volunteering Supplement, 2007, 2008 and 2009, and data available from Volunteering in America. Voting and registration data come from the CPD November Voting/Registration Supplement, 2004 and 2008, and all other civic engagement indicators, such as access to information and connection to others, come from the 2008 and 2009 CPS Civic Engagement Supplement. For these indicators, the 2008 and 2009 data were combined whenever possible, to achieve the largest possible sample size and to minimize error.

For the Maryland Report, the sample size for citizen engagement was 4,808 and the sample size for volunteering was 2,500. Because the report draws from multiple data sources with varying error parameters, there is no exact estimate of margin of error for the national or Maryland sample. However, according to the Census Bureau, published margin of error for CPS voting and registration supplement from 2008 is +/–0.3% for the national estimate and +/– 2.3% for Maryland. 6 For specic population subgroups, the margin of error is greater.

The 2010 national report, America's Civic Health Assessment issue brief and executive summary can be found online at www.ncoc.net/CivicHealth2010. Rankings and data for all 50 states and 51 largest metropolitan areas are available at http://civic.serve.gov. The 2010 state report, Maryland's Civic Health Index can be found online at www.ncoc.net/MD

CIRCLE (The Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement) conducts and promotes research on the civic and political engagement of Americans between the ages of 15 and 25. A part of the Jonathan M. Tisch College of Citizenship and Public Service at Tufts University, CIRCLE has received funding from The Pew Charitable Trusts, Carnegie Corporation of New York and several other foundations.

Four community conversations were held in Baltimore City, Carroll County (2), and Howard County. The Baltimore City and Carroll County conversations were comprised primarily of educators, while the Howard County conversation was comprised of general community members. The purpose of these conversations was to shape thinking and generate reaction to various aspects of civic health.

At the Civic Literacy Summit, held at Anne Arundel Community College on October 23, 2010, more than 200 educators, political leaders, and community members heard a brief presentation giving overall ndings for the Civic Health Index, and divided into workgroups to make recommendations.