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eLECTIONS State Standards - Arkansas


ARKANSAS SEA HOMEPAGE

ARKANSAS CURRICULUM FRAMEWORK ALL*

*Arkansas provides a Curriculum Framework in Civics / American Government (PDF) for teachers.

Civics/American Government

Social Studies

Curriculum Framework

Revised 2006

Civics/American Government provides a study of the structure and functions of the United States government, the government of Arkansas, and political institutions. Civics/American Government examines constitutional principles, the concepts of rights and responsibilities, the role of political parties and interest groups, and the importance of civic participation in the democratic process. This course stresses application, problem-solving, higher-order thinking skills, and the use of classroom performance-based/open-ended assessments with rubrics. One year of Civics/Government or Civics is required by the Standards of Accreditation for Smart Core graduates.

Strand Standards

Citizenship
  1. Students shall examine citizenship.
  2. Students shall examine rights, responsibilities, privileges, and duties of citizens.
Government
  1. Students shall analyze the purposes of government.
  2. Students shall compare the different types of government.
United States Constitution
  1. Students shall explain the importance of historical documents, events, and people that led to the development of the United States Constitution.
  2. Students shall analyze the organization and structure of the United States government as defined by the United States Constitution.
  3. Students shall analyze the fundamental rights of individuals as incorporated in the United States Constitution.
Structure of Government
  1. Students shall analyze the organization, authority, and function of the federal and state government.
Laws
  1. Students shall evaluate federal, state, and local laws.
  2. Students shall examine Arkansas laws pertaining to students.
Political Parties and Elections
  1. Students shall analyze the development of political parties.
  2. Students shall examine the influence of media on politics.
  3. Students shall evaluate the election process in the federal, state, and local governments.
Global Relations
  1. Students shall examine the foreign policy of the United States in a global context.
Strand: Political Parties and Elections

Content Standard 11: Students shall analyze the development of political parties.

Analyze the development and growth of political parties:
  • two party system
  • factions
  • third parties
  • role of citizens
Analyze various influences on political parties:
  • interest groups
  • lobbyists
  • Political Action Committees (PACs)