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eLECTIONS State Standards - Illinois Social Studies Junior High/High School


ILLINOIS SEA HOMEPAGE

ILLINOIS SOCIAL STUDIES STANDARDS ALL GRADES

ILLINOIS SOCIAL SCIENCE STANDARDS, UNDERSTAND THE POLITICAL SYSTEM - ALL GRADES (Word document)


STATE GOAL 14: Understand political systems, with an emphasis on the United States.

Why This Goal Is Important: The existence and advancement of a free society depend on the knowledge, skills and understanding of its citizenry. Through the study of various forms and levels of government and the documents and institutions of the United States, students will develop the skills and knowledge that they need to be contributing citizens, now and in the future.

  1. Understand and explain basic principles of the United States government.

    MIDDLE/JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
    14.A.3 Describe how responsibilities are shared and limited by the United States and Illinois Constitutions and significant court decisions.

    EARLY HIGH SCHOOL
    14.A.4 Analyze how local, state and national governments serve the purposes for which they were created.

    LATE HIGH SCHOOL
    4.A.5 Analyze ways in which federalism protects individual rights and promotes the common good and how at times has made it possible for states to protect and deny rights for certain groups.


  2. Understand the structures and functions of the political systems of Illinois, the United States and other nations.

    MIDDLE/JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
    14.B.3 Identify and compare the basic political systems of Illinois and the United States as prescribed in their constitutions.

    EARLY HIGH SCHOOL
    14.B.4 Compare the political systems of the United States to other nations

    LATE HIGH SCHOOL
    14.B.5 Analyze similarities and differences among world political systems (e.g., democracy, socialism, communism).


  3. Understand election processes and responsibilities of citizens.

    MIDDLE/JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
    14.C.3 Compare historical issues involving rights, roles and status of individuals in relation to municipalities, states and the nation.

    EARLY HIGH SCHOOL
    14.C.4 Describe the meaning of participatory citizenship (e.g., volunteerism, voting) at all levels of government and society in the United States.

    LATE HIGH SCHOOL
    14.C.5 Analyze the consequences of participation and non-participation in the electoral process (e.g., women's suffrage, voter registration, effects of media).


  4. Understand the roles and influences of individuals and interest groups in the political systems of Illinois, the United States and other nations.

    MIDDLE/JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
    14.D.3 Describe roles and influences of individuals, groups and media in shaping current Illinois and United States public policy (e.g., general public opinion, special interest groups, formal parties, media).

    EARLY HIGH SCHOOL
    14.D.4 Analyze roles and influences of individuals, groups and media in shaping current debates on state and national policies.

    LATE HIGH SCHOOL
    14.D.5 Interpret a variety of public policies and issues from the perspectives of different individuals and groups.


  5. Understand the development of United States political ideas and traditions.

    MIDDLE/JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
    14.F.3a Analyze historical influences on the development of political ideas and practices as enumerated in the Declaration of Independence, the United States Constitution, the Bill of Rights and the Illinois Constitution.

    14.F.3b Describe how United States political ideas and traditions were instituted in the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

    EARLY HIGH SCHOOL
    14.F.4a Determine the historical events and processes that brought about changes in United States political ideas and traditions (e.g., the New Deal, Civil War).

    14.F.4b Describe how United States' political ideas, practices and technologies have extended rights for Americans in the 20th century (e.g., suffrage, civil rights, motor-voter registration).

    LATE HIGH SCHOOL
    14.F.5 Interpret how changing geographical, economic, technological and social forces affect United States political ideas and traditions (e.g., freedom, equality and justice, individual rights).