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K–12 Standards

Grade 12: United States Government

Other Alabama Social Studies AAS sets

UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT

  • 1

    Define government; contrast limited government and unlimited government; recognize documents and individuals who helped shape the government of the United States. SS.USG.AAS.12.1

    1. a

      Identify key philosophers, including Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, Charles de Montesquieu, and Jean Jacques Rousseau.SS.USG.AAS.12.1a

    2. b

      Identify key documents, including Magna Carta, Petition of Rights, English Bill of Rights, Mayflower Compact, and the Virginia Declaration of Rights.SS.USG.AAS.12.1b

    3. c

      Identify the Great Awakening.SS.USG.AAS.12.1c

  • 2

    Recognize the importance of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States.SS.USG.AAS.12.2

    1. a

      Place into chronological order key political events of the American Revolution.SS.USG.AAS.12.2a

  • 3

    Identify the major purposes of the Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights.SS.USG.AAS.12.3

    1. a

      Outline the possible paths taken to ratify an amendment to the Constitution.SS.USG.AAS.12.3a

  • 4

    Define federalism; describe how powers are divided between the federal and state governments.SS.USG.AAS.12.4

  • 5

    Identify the responsibilities of state and local governments.SS.USG.AAS.12.5

  • 6

    Understand the importance of voting and the expansion of voting rights; identify ways in which voting rights have expanded to be more inclusive and increase participation in the political system.SS.USG.AAS.12.6

    1. a

      Identify key constitutional amendments and laws that have allowed for the expansion of the right to vote.SS.USG.AAS.12.6a

    2. b

      Identify key obstacles imposed during the Jim Crow era to limit suffrage rights.SS.USG.AAS.12.6b

    3. c

      Identify key events in the Civil Rights Movement that led to the expansion of suffrage rights.SS.USG.AAS.12.6c

  • 7

    Understand that public officials are elected to office; recognize that elections are held at the local, state, and national level.SS.USG.AAS.12.7

  • 8

    Understand that candidates for public office are often supported by groups of people called “special-interest groups” and “political action committees.” SS.USG.AAS.12.8

  • 9

    Identify ways candidates can get their message out to voters and ways voters can learn about candidates.SS.USG.AAS.12.9

  • 10

    Define political party and describe its job; identify and contrast the major political parties in the United States--Republican, Democratic, and/or nonaffiliated parties (Independent).SS.USG.AAS.12.10

  • 11

    Define legislative branch of government; identify the major roles and/or responsibilities of the legislative branch of government, recognize the legislative branch is made up of the House of Representatives and the Senate and identify the differences between them.SS.USG.AAS.12.11

    1. a

      List in chronological order the steps by which a bill becomes a law.SS.USG.AAS.12.11a

  • 12

    Define executive branch of government; identify the major roles and responsibilities of the executive branch of government; recognize that the executive branch is headed by the president of the United States.SS.USG.AAS.12.12

    1. a

      Classify presidential powers as either constitutional, informal, or symbolic.SS.USG.AAS.12.12a

  • 13

    Define judicial branch of government; identify the major roles and responsibilities of the judicial branch of government; recognize that the judicial branch is a court system with the Supreme Court serving as the highest court in the land.SS.USG.AAS.12.13

    1. a

      Identify the effect by which landmark decisions change the interpretation of constitutional provisions and rights.SS.USG.AAS.12.13a

  • 14

    Understand that citizens have rights and responsibilities; recognize rights that citizens are guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States.SS.USG.AAS.12.14

  • 15

    Define and contrast domestic policy and foreign policy and recognize examples of each.SS.USG.AAS.12.15

Frequently asked questions

What grade levels do these standards cover?
Grade 12
Where can I read the official document?
SOCIAL STUDIES ALTERNATE ACHIEVEMENT STANDARDS

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