The Colorado Model Content Standards for Social Studies guide the curricula, teaching, and learning tasks of social studies students in the Adams Twelve Star schools system.  The framework of the standards consists of history and geography with economics and civics infused.  These standards define what students should learn in social studies programs in the middle grades (6-8).  Grade level and content standards identify specifically what a student should know and be able to do.  These standards integrate knowledge, skills, and perspectives that will remain useful throughout life.   The identification of separate standards for history and geography is in no way intended to specify that the content be taught in that manner.  Rather, history, geography, civics, and economics should be seen as broadly integrative subjects that serve as the links among the social studies.  This perspective empowers Adams Twelve Star school teachers to make professional choices about when to address the discrete pieces of individual disciplines and when integration is most appropriate.

The guiding standards were developed and organized in full collaboration with the Colorado Department of Education, National Council for the Social Studies, National Council for Geographic Education, National Center for History in the Schools, Colorado Council on Economic Education, National Standards for Civics and Government, Social Studies teachers in the field, and the general public.   The informed student understands and applies knowledge gained from study within and between the social science disciplines.  The informed citizen makes decisions based on such knowledge.  These standards form what citizens of the 21st Century must know and be able to do.  

The Teachers

Social Studies Curriculum

Colorado State Standards for the Social Studies

This Page Was Last Updated on:  10/22/02 08:36 AM