Civics Content Standards

1. Student knows what government is, why it exists, and how it is shaped by politics and civic life. 

  • Teen Talk: Students will know what government is, what it does, and how it affects the community as a whole.
  • Examples in the classroom:
    • Students will explain how the purposes served by government have implications for the individual and society.
    • Students will give examples of legitimate authority and exercise of power.
  • Service Learning Activities:
    • President, U.S. Congressman or Representative, Mayor, Campaign manager.
  • Classroom Exploration:
    • American Government, U.S. History, International Forum.

2. Students understand the basic constitutional principles and democratic foundations of our national, state, and local political systems. 

  • Teen Talk: Students will understand the basic principles of the constitution and know what a democracy is and how it works.
  • Examples in the classroom:
    • Students will trace the inclusion of social contract ideas, natural rights philosophy, and republicanism and the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights.
    • Students will explain the conditions that are necessary for constitutional government to operate effectively.
  • Service Learning Activities:
    • Student will volunteer at a courthouse.
  • Careers for Exploration:
    • Speaker of the House, Governor, and a Museum curator at any Washington D.C. monument.
  • Classroom Exploration:
    • U.S. History, American Government, International Forum

3. Students know the structure and function of governments, and how citizen involvement and democratic principles shape public policy. 

  • Teen Talk: Students will understand the reasons that governments exist and how the people can shape them.
  • Examples in the classroom:
    • Students will evaluate, take, and defend positions on current issues regarding judicial protection of individual rights.
    • Students will evaluate a current issue of public policy at local, state, and national levels.
  • Service Learning Activities:
    • Students will volunteer at an AIDS awareness rally.
  • Careers for Exploration:
    • Activists, Radical, Columnist
  • Classroom Exploration:
    • U.S. History, American Government, International Forum

4. Students know the political relationship of the United States and its citizens to other nations and to world affairs.

  • Teen Talk: Students will understand the relationship between the US government, their policies, citizens and the world community.
  • Examples in the classroom:
    • Students will describe the causes and consequences of conflicts among nation states.
    • Students will identify current foreign policy issues and evaluating the means the US is using to deal with them.
    • Students will explain the tensions between constitutional provisions, national interests, and the requirements of foreign policy.
  • Service Learning Activities:
    • Students will volunteer at an American Embassy.
  • Careers for Exploration:
    • Ambassador, Diplomat
  • Classroom Exploration:
    • American Government, International Cuisine

5. Students understand how to exercise the rights and responsibilities of participation in civic life.

  • Teen Talk: Students will understand the rights and responsibilities to participate in the world around.
  • Examples in the classroom:
    • Students will compare and analyze the rights of citizens and non-citizens
    • Students will identify the scope and limits of rights.
    • Students will describe various ways one can exercise leadership and participate in public affairs.
  • Service Learning Activities:
    • Students will volunteer at a rally to encourage voter registration.
    • Students will volunteer to help with "Kids Voting."
  • Careers for Exploration:
    • Civil Rights Activist, Public Defender, Superhero
  • Classroom Exploration:
    • Comparative World Religions, American Government, Ethnic Studies