Common Planner
K–12 Standards

Civics and Government: Grade 12

Other Pennsylvania Social Studies sets

Principles and Documents of Government

  •  

    Rule of Law

    1. A.

      Apply examples of the rule of law as related to individual rights and the common good.5.1.U.A

    2. A.

      Analyze the sources, purposes, functions of law, and how the rule of law protects individual rights and promotes the common good.5.1.C.A

    3. A.

      Analyze the sources, purposes, functions of law, and how the rule of law protects individual rights and promotes the common good.5.1.12.A

  •  

    Laws and Government

    1. B.

      Analyze how conflict and cooperation among groups and organizations have influenced the history and development of the world. (Reference History Standards 8.3.9.D.) Employ historical examples and political philosophy to evaluate the major arguments advanced for the necessity of government.5.1.W.B

    2. B.

      Employ historical examples and political philosophy to evaluate the major arguments advanced for the necessity of government.5.1.C.B

    3. B.

      Employ historical examples and political philosophy to evaluate the major arguments advanced for the necessity of government.5.1.12.B

  •  

    Principles and Ideals that Shape Government

    1. C.

      Analyze the principles and ideals that shape United States government.<ul><li>Liberty/Freedom</li><li>Democracy</li><li>Justice</li><li>Equality</li></ul>5.1.U.C

    2. C.

      Evaluate the application of the principles and ideals in contemporary civic life.<ul><li>Liberty/Freedom</li><li>Democracy</li><li>Justice</li><li>Equality</li></ul>5.1.C.C

    3. C.

      Evaluate the application of the principles and ideals in contemporary civic life.<ul><li>Liberty/Freedom</li><li>Democracy</li><li>Justice</li><li>Equality</li></ul>5.1.12.C

  •  

    Documents and Ideals that Shape Pennsylvania and US Government

    1. D.

      Compare and contrast the basic principles and ideals found in significant documents: <ul><li>Declaration of Independence</li><li>United States Constitution</li><li>Bill of Rights</li><li>Pennsylvania Constitution</li></ul>5.1.U.D

    2. D.

      Evaluate state and federal powers based on significant documents and other critical sources.<ul><li>Declaration of Independence</li><li>United States Constitution</li><li>Bill of Rights </li><li>Pennsylvania Constitution</li></ul>5.1.C.D

    3. D.

      Evaluate state and federal powers based on significant documents and other critical sources.<ul><li>Declaration of Independence</li><li>United States Constitution</li><li>Bill of Rights </li><li>Pennsylvania Constitution</li></ul>5.1.12.D

  •  

    Individual Rights

    1. E.

      Analyze and assess the rights of people as written in the PA Constitution and the US Constitution.5.1.C.E

    2. E.

      Analyze and assess the rights of people as written in the PA Constitution and the US Constitution.5.1.12.E

  •  

    Symbols

    1. F.

      Analyze the role political symbols play in civil disobedience and patriotic activites.5.1.U.F

    2. F.

      Evaluate the role of nationalism in uniting and dividing citizens.5.1.W.F

    3. F.

      Analyze the role political symbols play in civil disobedience and patriotic activites.5.1.C.F

    4. F.

      Evaluate the role of nationalism in uniting and dividing citizens.5.1.12.F

Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship

  •  

    Civics Rights and Responsibilities

    1. A.

      Contrast the rights and responsibilities of a citizen in a democracy with a citizen in an authoritarian system.5.2.U.A

    2. A.

      Contrast the rights and responsibilities of a citizen in a democracy with a citizen in an authoritarian system.5.2.W.A

    3. A.

      Contrast the rights and responsibilities of a citizen in a democracy with a citizen in an authoritarian system.5.2.C.A

    4. A.

      Evaluate an individual's civil rights, responsibilities and obligations in various contemporary governments.5.2.12.A

  •  

    Conflict and Resolution

    1. B.

      Analyze strategies used to resolve conflicts in society and government.5.2.U.B

    2. B.

      Analyze strategies used to resolve conflicts in society and government.5.2.W.B

    3. B.

      Analyze strategies used to resolve conflicts in society and government.5.2.C.B

    4. B.

      Examine the causes of conflicts in society and evaluate techniques to address those conflicts.5.2.12.B

  •  

    Leadership and Public Service

    1. C.

      Examine political leadership and public service in a republican form of government.5.2.U.C

    2. C.

      Evaluate political leadership and public service in a republican form of government.5.2.C.C

    3. C.

      Evaluate political leadership and public service in a republican form of government.5.2.12.C

  •  

    Competent and Responsible Citizens

    1. D.

      Evaluate and demonstrate what makes competent and responsible citizens.5.2.U.D

    2. D.

      Evaluate and demonstrate what makes competent and responsible citizens.5.2.W.D

    3. D.

      Evaluate and demonstrate what makes competent and responsible citizens.5.2.C.D

    4. D.

      Evaluate and demonstrate what makes competent and responsible citizens.5.2.12.D

How Government Works

  •  

    Branches of Government

    1. A.

      Examine the process of checks and balances among the three branches of government, including the creation of law.5.3.C.A

    2. A.

      Analyze the changes in power and authority among the three branches of government over time.5.3.12.A

  •  

    Structure, Organization, and Operation of Governments

    1. B.

      Analyze the roles of local, state, and national governments in policy-making.5.3.C.B

    2. B.

      Compare and contrast policy-making in various contemporary world governments.5.3.12.B

  •  

    Government Services

    1. C.

      Explain how government agencies create, amend, and enforce policies in local, state, and national governments.5.3.C.C

    2. C.

      Evaluate how government agencies create, amend, and enforce regulations.5.3.12.C

  •  

    Leadership and Political Elections

    1. D.

      Evaluate the roles of political parties, interest groups, and mass media in politics and public policy.5.3.U.D

    2. D.

      Evaluate the roles of political parties, interest groups, and mass media in politics and public policy.5.3.C.D

    3. D.

      Evaluate the roles of political parties, interest groups, and mass media in politics and public policy.5.3.12.D

  •  

    Elements of the Election Process

    1. E.

      Compare and contrast the different election processes for local, state, and national offices.5.3.C.E

    2. E.

      Evaluate the fairness and effectiveness of the United States electoral processes, including the electoral college.5.3.12.E

  •  

    Conflict and the Court System

    1. F.

      Analyze landmark United States Supreme Court interpretations of the Constitution and its Amendments.5.3.U.F

    2. F.

      Explain the Supreme Court's role in interpreting the U.S. Constitution.<ul><li>Individual rights</li><li>States' rights</li><li>Civil rights</li></ul>5.3.C.F

    3. F.

      Analyze landmark United States Supreme Court interpretations of the Constitution and its Amendments.5.3.12.F

  •  

    Interest Groups

    1. G.

      Analyze the influence of interest groups in the political process.5.3.C.G

    2. G.

      Evaluate the impact of interest groups in developing public policy.5.3.12.G

  •  

    Media Influences

    1. H.

      Evaluate the role of mass media in setting public agenda and influencing political life.5.3.C.H

    2. H.

      Evaluate the role of mass media in setting public agenda and influencing political life.5.3.12.H

  •  

    Taxes

    1. I.

      Explain various types of taxes and their purposes.5.3.C.I

    2. I.

      Evaluate tax policies of various states and countries.5.3.12.I

  •  

    Systems of Government

    1. J.

      Compare and contrast various systems of government.5.3.W.J

    2. J.

      Evaluate critical issues in various contemporary governments.5.3.12.J

How International Relationships Function

  •  

    Countries and Conflicts

    1. A.

      Explain how United States foreign policy is developed.5.4.U.A

    2. A.

      Explain how United States foreign policy is developed.5.4.C.A

    3. A.

      Examine foreign policy perspectives, including realism, idealism, and liberalism.5.4.12.A

  •  

    Tools of Foreign Policy

    1. B.

      Explain why and how different foreign policy tools are used to advance a nation's self interest (e.g., diplomacy, economic aid, military aid, sanctions, treaties).5.4.C.B

    2. B.

      Evaluate the effectiveness of foreign policy tools in various current issues confronting the United States (e.g., diplomacy, economic aid, military aid, sanctions, treaties).5.4.12.B

  •  

    International Organizations

    1. C.

      Identify the role of international organizations.5.4.W.C

    2. C.

      Evaluate the effectiveness of international organizations, both governmental and nongovernmental.5.4.12.C

  •  

    Media and its Influence

    1. D.

      Evaluate the role of mass media in world politics.5.4.12.D

  •  

    How Foreign Policy is Influenced

    1. E.

      Compare and contrast the politics of various interest groups and evaluate their impact on foreign policy.5.4.12.E

Frequently asked questions

What grade levels do these standards cover?
Grade 12
When were these standards adopted?
2009

Keep exploring

Keep exploring Social Studies standards

Sibling grade bands, other subjects in this jurisdiction, and the same subject across other states.

More Pennsylvania Social Studies sets

Social Studies

Other Pennsylvania subjects

Pennsylvania