Standards List:
National Council for the Social Studies: Curriculum Standards for Social Studies

Culture: Provide for the study of culture and cultural diversity

Performance expectations:
· interpret patterns of behavior reflecting values and attitudes that contribute or pose obstacles to cross-cultural understanding
· construct reasoned judgments about specific cultural responses to persistent human issues
· explain and apply ideas, theories, and modes of inquiry drawn from anthropology and sociology in the examination of persistent issues and social problems

Time, Continuity & Change: Provide for the study of the ways human beings view themselves in and over time

Performance expectations:
· apply key concepts such as time, chronology, causality, change, conflict, and complexity to explain, analyze, and show connections among patterns of historical change and continuity
· apply ideas, theories, and modes of historical inquiry to analyze historical and contemporary developments, and to inform and evaluate actions concerning public policy issues

People, Places & Environments: Provide for the study of people, places, and environments

Performance expectations:
· use knowledge of physical system changes such as seasons, climate, and weather, and the water cycle to explain geographic phenomena
· describe and compare how people create places that reflect culture, human needs, government policy, and current values and ideals as they design and build specialized buildings, neighborhoods, shopping centers, urban centers, industrial parks , and the like
· analyze and evaluate social and economic effects of environmental changes and crises resulting from phenomena such as flood, storms, and drought
· propose, compare , and evaluate alternative policies for the use of land and other resources in communities, regions, nations, and the world

Individual Development & Identity: Provide for the study of individual development and identity

Performance Expectations:
· examine the interactions of ethnic, national, or cultural influences in specific situations or events
· compare and evaluate the impact of stereotyping, conformity, acts of altruism, and other behaviors on individuals and groups
· work independently and cooperatively within groups and institutions to accomplish goals

Individuals, Groups & Institutions: Provide for the study of interactions among individuals, groups, and institutions

Performance Expectations:
· analyze the extent to which groups and institutions meet individual needs and promote the common good in contemporary historical settings

Power, Authority & Governance: Provide for the study of how people create and change structures of power, authority, and governance

Performance Expectations:
· examine persistent issues involving the rights, roles, and status of the individual in relation to the general welfare
· explain the purpose of government and analyze how its powers are acquired, used, and justified
· analyze and explain ideas and mechanisms to meet needs and wants of citizens, regulate territory, manage conflict, establish order and security, and balance competing conceptions of a just society
· compare and analyze the ways nations and organizations respond to conflicts between forces of unity and forces of diversity
· analyze and evaluate conditions, actions, and motivations that contribute to conflict and cooperation within and among nations
· prepare a public policy paper and present and defend it before an appropriate forum in school or community

Productions, Distribution & Consumption: Provide for the study of how people organize for the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services

Performance Expectations:
· consider the costs and benefits to society of allocating foods and services through private and public sectors
· compare how values and beliefs influence economic decisions in difference societies
· distinguish between the domestic and global economic systems, and explain how the two interact

Science, Technology & Society: Provide for the study of relationships among science, technology and society

Performance Expectations:
· make judgments about how science and technology have transformed the physical world and human society and out understanding of time, space, place, and human-environment interactions
· analyze how science and technology influence the core values, beliefs, and attitudes of society, and how core values, beliefs, and attitude of society shape scientific and technological change

Global Connections: Provide for the study of global connections and interdependence

Performance Expectations:
· explain conditions and motivations that contribute to conflict, cooperation, and interdependence among groups, societies, and nations
· analyze and evaluate the effects of changing technologies on the global community
· analyze the relationships and tensions between national sovereignty and global interests, in matters such a territory, economic development, nuclear and other weapons, use of natural resources, and human rights concerns
· analyze and formulate policy statements demonstrating an understanding of concerns, standards, issues, and conflicts related to universal human rights
· describe and evaluate the role of international and multinational organizations in the global arena

Civic Ideals and Practices: Provide for the study of the ideals, principles, and practices of citizenship in a democratic republic

Performance Expectations:
· explain the origins and continuing influence of key ideals of the democratic republican form of government, such as individual human dignity, liberty, justice, equality, and the rule of law
· identify, analyze, interpret, and evaluate sources and examples of citizens' rights and responsibilities
· locate, access, analyze, organize, synthesize, evaluate, and apply information about selected public issues-identifying, describing, and evaluating multiple points of view
· practice forms of civic discussion and participation consistent with the ideals of citizens in a democratic republic
· evaluate the effectiveness of public opinion in influencing and shaping public policy development and decision-making
· construct a policy statement and an action plan to achieve one or more goals related to an issue of public concern
· participate in activities to strengthen the "common good" based upon careful evaluation of possible options for citizen action

Language Arts:
Demonstrate competence in the general skills and strategies of persuasive writing
Demonstrate competence in meeting the standard of four or above in each of the categories on the "Writing Scoring Guide"

Technology:
Knows the characteristics and uses of computer software programs
Demonstrates the ability to use the Internet as an appropriate resource