Civics Standard One:

Students will examine the structure and purposes of governments with specific emphasis on constitutional democracy [Government].

Governments exist and are instituted for specific purposes and employ a variety of organizational structures to pursue their objectives. Constitutional democracy attempts to balance individual freedom with the needs of the society as a whole. American citizens need a basic understanding of the structure of different forms of government and a detailed knowledge of a constitutional democracy.

The complexity of the standard will increase at each succeeding grade cluster:

• K-3:
  • Students will understand that leaders are sometimes chosen by election, and that elected officials are expected to represent the interests of the people who elect them.
  • Students will understand that positions of authority, whether elected, appointed, or familial, carry responsibilities and should be respected.
• 4-5:
  • Students will understand that governments have a variety of structures and exist for many purposes and that in America these are explained in the United States and State constitutions.
  • Students will understand that the United States government is divided into executive, legislative, and judicial branches, each with specific responsibilities and powers.
• 6-8:
  • Students will understand that governments have the power to make and enforce laws and regulations, levy taxes, conduct foreign policy, and make war.
  • Students will analyze the different functions of federal, state, and local governments in the United States and examine the reasons for the different organizational structures each level of government employs.
• 9-12:
  • Students will analyze the ways in which the structure and purposes of different governments around the world reflect differing ideologies, cultures, values, and histories.