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What does a student learn in ?

Mastery Learning Standards
The required skills a student should display by the end of Grade 12.
Inquiry, Disciplinary Skills, and Processes
  • Develop Questions and Plan Inquiries

    Grades 11-12

    Develop compelling and supporting questions and plan inquiries that promote sustained social studies investigation.

  • Evaluate Sources and Use Evidence

    Grades 11-12

    Evaluate the credibility of primary and secondary sources and use evidence to develop and support claims.

  • Communicate Conclusions

    Grades 11-12

    Communicate conclusions in writing, speaking, and other media, and take informed action.

Civics
  • Civic Reasoning and Participation

    Grades 11-12

    Apply civic virtues and democratic principles to school, community, and political life.

  • Government Institutions

    Grades 11-12

    Analyze the structures, purposes, and functions of Maryland, federal, and tribal governments and their relationships.

  • Rights, Laws, and Public Issues

    Grades 11-12

    Analyze the rights and responsibilities of citizens and how laws and public policy address current issues.

Economics
  • Economic Decision Making

    Grades 11-12

    Apply economic reasoning to evaluate alternatives and their costs and benefits.

  • Markets and Exchange

    Grades 11-12

    Analyze how markets, prices, and competition allocate resources locally, nationally, and globally.

  • Personal Finance

    Grades 11-12

    Apply principles of personal financial literacy, including saving, spending, credit, and investing.

Geography
  • Geographic Representations

    Grades 11-12

    Use maps, photographs, and geographic information to investigate places, regions, and patterns.

  • Human-Environment Interaction

    Grades 11-12

    Analyze how physical environments shape and are shaped by human activity, including in Maryland's regions.

  • Movement and Connections

    Grades 11-12

    Analyze patterns of human movement, settlement, and cultural diffusion across regions.

History
  • Continuity and Change

    Grades 11-12

    Analyze change and continuity across historical eras in Maryland, the United States, and the world.

  • Grades 11-12

    Analyze multiple perspectives on historical events, including the experiences of Maryland's diverse communities.

  • Causation and Argumentation

    Grades 11-12

    Analyze causes and consequences of historical events and construct arguments using historical evidence.

Peoples of the Nation and World
  • Diverse Communities and Cultures

    Grades 11-12

    Analyze the diverse experiences, contributions, and perspectives of peoples in Maryland, the nation, and the world.

  • Movements for Equity

    Grades 11-12

    Analyze movements for social, political, and economic equity across history and the present.

Assessments
The state tests students at this grade and subject take.
State Summative

MCAP: Government (End-of-Course)

End-of-course assessment in high school US Government, aligned to the Maryland Social Studies Framework.

When given:
by course completion
Frequency:
by course completion
Official source
National Monitoring

NAEP (National Assessment of Educational Progress)

Federally administered sample-based assessment in reading, mathematics, science, and writing. NAEP results inform state-by-state comparisons rather than individual student or school accountability.

When given:
biennial in winter
Frequency:
every two years
Official source