List of Benchmarks for Civics |
| Standard 20. | Understands the roles of political parties, campaigns, elections, and associations and groups in American politics |
| | Level Pre-K (Grade Pre-K) |
| | 1. | Not appropriate for this level |
| | Level I (Grade K-2) |
| | 1. | Not appropriate for this level |
| | Level II (Grade 3-5) |
| | 1. | Not appropriate for this level |
| | Level III (Grade 6-8) |
| | 1. | Understands the role of political parties (e.g., structure the vote for the electorate, present issues, link government to the citizenry, organize the legislative and executive branches) |
| | 2. | Knows the various kinds of elections (e.g., primary and general, local and state, congressional, presidential, recall) |
| | 3. | Understands the ways in which individuals can participate in political parties, campaigns, and elections |
| | 4. | Understands the historical and contemporary roles of prominent associations and groups in local, state, and national politics (e.g., historical associations such as abolitionists, suffragists, labor unions, civil rights groups; religious organizations and contemporary associations such as AFL-CIO, National Education Association, Common Cause, League of Women Voters, Greenpeace, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) |
| | 5. | Knows how and why Americans become members of associations and groups, and understands how membership in these associations provides individuals with opportunities to participate in the political process. |
| | Level IV (Grade 9-12) |
| | 1. | Knows the origins and development of the two party system in the United States, and understands the role of third parties |
| | 2. | Understands how and why American political parties differ from ideological parties in other countries |
| | 3. | Knows the major characteristics of American political parties, how they vary by locality, how they reflect the dispersion of power, and how they provide citizens with numerous opportunities for participation |
| | 4. | Understands how political parties are involved in channeling public opinion, allowing people to act jointly, nominating candidates, conducting campaigns, and training future leaders; and understands why political parties in the United States are weaker today than they have been at times in the past |
| | 5. | Knows the characteristics of initiatives and referendums |
| | 6. | Understands the significance of campaigns and elections in the American political system, and knows current criticisms of campaigns and proposals for their reform |
| | 7. | Knows historical and contemporary examples of associations and groups performing functions otherwise performed by the government such as social welfare and education |
| | 8. | Understands the extent to which associations and groups enhance citizen participation in American political life |
