Social Studies Standards for Teaching and Learning include content standards relating to "authority, responsibility and power;" the founding documents; "principles and practices;" citizenship; and "forms of government." The standards are contained in a complete curriculum framework ("pacing charts"). See details under "civics/citizenship education curriculum framework."

Standards for Teaching and Learning for the social studies state that the purpose of social studies is to "develop informed, responsible citizens, develop active participants in the political, social, and moral issues of society, empower students to confront today's problems and make informed decisions," etc. Standards include eight strands, including "Social Diversity and Social Change" and "Political Ideas, Turning Points, and Institutions." Each course has content standards, and each content standard has performance standards, essential skills and technology integration skills. For example, the American government course content standard #4 concerns citizenship; one of the performance standards is: "The student applies knowledge of democratic principles, political history, and citizens' rights to constructing plausible solutions to problems in the community."