Skip to content

What does a student learn in ?

Mastery Learning Standards
The required skills a student should display by the end of Grade 9.
Standards for History and Social Science Practice
  • Civic Knowledge and Dispositions

    Grades 9-10

    Demonstrate civic knowledge, skills, and dispositions, including the values and habits of participation in a constitutional democracy.

  • Develop Questions and Conduct Inquiries

    Grades 9-10

    Develop focused questions or problem statements and conduct inquiries using multiple sources.

  • Organize Information from Multiple Sources

    Grades 9-10

    Organize information and data from multiple primary and secondary sources to support analysis and argumentation.

  • Analyze Purpose and Point of View

    Grades 9-10

    Analyze the purpose and point of view of each source, distinguishing opinion from fact and acknowledging bias.

  • Evaluate Sources for Credibility

    Grades 9-10

    Evaluate the credibility, accuracy, and relevance of each source used to develop claims.

  • Argue or Explain Using Evidence

    Grades 9-10

    Argue or explain conclusions, using valid reasoning and evidence drawn from primary and secondary sources.

  • Take Informed Action

    Grades 9-10

    Determine next steps and take informed action when appropriate.

History and Geography
  • Continuity and Change

    Grades 9-10

    Analyze change and continuity across United States, Massachusetts, and world history.

  • Geographic Reasoning

    Grades 9-10

    Use maps, photographs, and geographic tools to investigate places, regions, and human-environment interactions, including in Massachusetts.

  • Perspectives and Sources

    Grades 9-10

    Analyze multiple perspectives on historical events using evidence from primary and secondary sources.

  • Causation and Argumentation

    Grades 9-10

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

Civics and Government
  • Foundational Principles

    Grades 9-10

    Analyze the foundational principles, institutions, and practices of constitutional democracy in the United States and Massachusetts.

  • Rights, Responsibilities, and Participation

    Grades 9-10

    Analyze the rights and responsibilities of citizens and practice civic skills needed for participation in public life.

  • Public Policy and Civic Engagement

    Grades 9-10

    Analyze how citizens and civic institutions shape public policy at the local, state, and federal levels.

Economics
  • Economic Decision Making

    Grades 9-10

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

  • Markets and Exchange

    Grades 9-10

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

  • Personal Finance

    Grades 9-10

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

No state assessments at this grade
Students take their next one in Grade 12.
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