Karon LeCompte

Dr. Karon LeCompte is an Associate Professor of Curriculum and Instruction at Baylor University specializing in social studies education. Her work focuses on civics education, teacher preparation, and technology integration, with active collaboration through the iEngage Civics Institute Project supporting Texas educators and teacher candidates in law-related education initiatives.

Education:

• B.S. in Elementary Education and English, Sam Houston State University
• M.A. in Gifted Education, Sam Houston State University
• Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction, University of Texas at Austin

Her research centers on action civics programs and their impact on youth political engagement, exploring technology-enhanced pedagogical approaches in social studies. She investigates how experiential learning models foster civic identity and addresses contemporary challenges like pandemic-era federalism education, emphasizing real-world application in K-12 classrooms through partnerships with national organizations like iCivics.

Recent publications reveal a strong trend toward context-responsive civics education, analyzing how crises reshape teaching methods while maintaining core democratic principles. Her work consistently bridges theory and practice, focusing on measurable impacts of action civics on community engagement and political participation among diverse youth populations.

Scientific Awards:

• Baylor Centennial Professor Award (2023) for iEngage Civics Institute research
• Sandra Day O'Connor Award for Advancement of Civic Education (2022)
• Baylor iCivics Fellow (2012) with national iCivics team
• Teaching Enhancement Grant from Academy of Teaching & Learning (2021)

Dr. LeCompte serves as co-principal investigator on $302,000 in civics education grants, mentoring teacher candidates while developing professional development programs for Texas educators. Her advisory work extends through the National Council for Social Studies and American Educational Research Association, focusing on curriculum innovation and evidence-based teaching practices.

As a core member of the iEngage team, she leads initiatives translating Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor's vision into classroom practice, creating scalable civics education models that integrate legal frameworks with community action projects across Texas school districts.