New Instructional Goals and Objectives for social studies took effect 7/1/03. They include content standards for citizenship and civics/government across grades, with K-11 grade-level objectives under each standard. Each standard also includes performance descriptors at 5 levels: novice, partial mastery, mastery, above mastery and distinguished. Citizenship objectives include community service, student participation in school and community governance, community problem solving, citizen influence on public policy, taking and defending positions, etc. (W. Va. Code St. R. §126 Series 44D [WVBE Policy 2520.4])