Introduction
BodyText1
Civic education benchmarks in Delaware have been designed to cover
four basic categories of understanding with respect to civics for
grades K12: government, politics, citizenship,
and participation.
| Benchmarks for Grades K–3 | <div class="ExternalClass94387E6002814E28BB3926E31324E1F4"><h4>Civics 1 (Government)</h4><ul><li>Understand
that leaders are sometimes chosen by election, and that elected officials are
expected to represent the interests of the people who elected them.<br></li><li>Understand
that positions of authority, whether elected, appointed, or familial, carry
responsibilities and should be respected.<br></li></ul><h4>Civics 2 (Politics)<br></h4><ul><li>Understand
that respect for others, their opinions, and their property is a foundation of
civil society in the United States.<br></li></ul><h4>Civics 3 (Citizenship)</h4><ul><li>Understand
that American citizens have distinct responsibilities (such as voting), rights
(such as free speech and freedom of religion), and privileges (such as
driving).<br></li></ul><h4>Civics 4 (Participation)</h4><ul><li>Acquire
the skills necessary for participating in a group, including defining an
objective, dividing responsibilities, and working cooperatively.<br></li></ul><p>
</p></div> | | |
| Benchmarks for Grades 4–5 | <div class="ExternalClassC0E7AD98B4814A9991A2D5CC633E37AE"><h4>Civics 1 (Government)</h4><ul><li>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. </li><li>Understand
that the United States government is divided into executive, legislative,
and judicial branches, each with specific responsibilities and powers.</li></ul><h4>Civics 2 (Politics)</h4><ul><li>Understand
that the principle of “due process” means that the government must follow
its own rules when taking actions against a citizen.</li><li>Understand
that a society based on the ideal of individual liberty requires a
commitment on the part of its citizens to the principles of civic
responsibility and personal civility.</li></ul><h4>Civics 3 (Citizenship)</h4><ul><li>Identify
the fundamental rights of all American citizens as enumerated in the Bill
of Rights.</li><li>Apply
the protections guaranteed in the Bill of Rights to an analysis of
everyday situations.</li></ul><h4>Civics 4 (Participation)</h4><ul><li>Understand
that in order to select effective leaders, citizens have to become
informed about candidates’ qualifications and the issues of the day.</li><li>Identify
and employ the formal and informal methods by which democratic groups
function.</li></ul><p>
</p></div> | | |
| Benchmarks for Grades 6–8 | <div class="ExternalClassB15CACC46B524F3FBE32252A32B657CE"><h4>Civics 1 (Government)</h4><ul><li>Understand
that governments have the power to make and enforce laws and regulations,
levy taxes, conduct foreign policy, and make war.</li><li>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.</li></ul><h4>Civics 2 (Politics)</h4><ul><li>Understand
that the concept of majority rule does not mean that the rights of
minorities may be disregarded and will examine and apply the protections
accorded those minorities in the American political system.</li><li>Understand
the principles and content of major American state papers such as the
Declaration of Independence; United States Constitution (including the
Bill of Rights); and the Federalist Papers.</li></ul><h4>Civics 3 (Citizenship)</h4><ul><li>Understand
that civil rights secure political freedom while property rights secure
economic freedom and that both are essential protections for United States
citizens.</li><li>Understand
that American citizenship includes responsibilities such as voting, jury
duty, obeying the law, service in the armed forces when required, and
public service.</li></ul><h4>Civics 4 (Participation)</h4><ul><li>Follow
the actions of elected officials, and understand and employ the mechanisms
for communicating with them while in office.</li></ul><p> </p><p>
</p></div> | | |
| Benchmarks for Grades 9–12 | <div class="ExternalClass8B09E182805B409DA489F927DB9C14C6"><h4>Civics 1 (Government)<br></h4><ul><li>Analyze
the ways in which the structure and purposes of different governments
around the world reflect differing ideologies, cultures, values, and
histories.<br></li></ul><h4>Civics 2 (Politics)<br></h4><ul><li>Examine
and analyze the extra-Constitutional role that political parties play in
American politics.</li><li>Understand
that the functioning of the government is a dynamic process which combines
the formal balances of power incorporated in the Constitution with
traditions, precedents, and interpretations which have evolved over the
past 200 years.</li></ul><h4>Civics 3 (Citizenship)</h4><ul><li>Understand
that citizens are individually responsible for keeping themselves informed
about public policy issues on the local, state, and federal levels;
participating in the civic process; and upholding the laws of the land.</li></ul><h4>Civics 4 (Participation)</h4><ul><li>Develop
and employ the skills necessary to work with government programs and
agencies.</li><li>Understand
the process of working within a political party, a commission engaged in
examining public policy, or a citizen’s group.</li></ul><p>
</p></div> | | |
Additional Benchmarks Resources
BodyText6
Contact Us
For more information about Delaware civic education benchmarks, contact Fran O'Malley.
This Page Last Modified On:
<a target="_blank" href="/ipa/Lists/FAQBenchmarks/AllItems.aspx" class="ms-promotedActionButton"><span style="font-size:16px;margin-right:5px;position:relative;top:2px;" class="fa fa-pencil-square-o"></span><span class="ms-promotedActionButton-text">EDIT LIST</span></a>
WebPartEditorsOnly
