EOC Benchmarks
(topics we will be covering in class which the End of Course civics exam will assess)
CITIZENSHIP
2.1: Define “citizen,” and identify legal means of becoming a U.S. citizen.
2.2: Evaluate the obligations citizens have to obey laws, pay taxes, defend the nation, and serve on juries.
2.3: Describe responsibilities of citizens at local, state, or federal levels.
1.9: Define “rule of law” and recognize its influence on the development of U.S. legal, political, & governmental systems.
MEDIA & INFLUENCING GOVERNMENT
2.10: Examine impact of the media, individuals, and interest groups on monitoring and influencing government.
2.11: Analyze media and political communication (bias, symbolism, propaganda).
2.13: Examine multiple perspectives on public and current issues.
ELECTIONS & POLITICAL PARTIES
2.8: Identify America’s current political parties & illustrate their ideas about gov’t.
2.9: Evaluate candidates for political office by analyzing their qualifications, debates, experience, issue-based platforms, and ads.
2.7: Conduct a mock election to demonstrate the voting process and its impact on different levels.
FOUNDATIONS OF U.S. GOVERNMENT
1.1: Recognize how Enlightenment ideas (including Montesquieu’s view of separation of power and John Locke’s theories related to natural law) and how Locke’s social contract influenced the Founding Fathers.
1.2: Trace the impact that the Magna Carta, English Bill of Rights, Mayflower Compact, and Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense” had on colonists’ views of gov’t.
1.3: Describe how English policies and responses to colonial concerns led to writing the Declaration of Independence.
1.4: Analyze the ideas (natural rights, role of the government) and complaints set forth in Declaration of Independence.
CREATING THE CONSTITUTION
1.5: Identify how the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation led to the writing of the Constitution.
1.8: Explain the viewpoints of the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists regarding the ratification of the Constitution & inclusion of Bill of Rights.
STRUCTURE & PRINCIPLES OF THE CONSTITUTION
1.6: Interpret the intentions of the Preamble of the Constitution.
3.3: Illustrate the structure and function (three branches of government established in Articles I, II, and III with corresponding powers) of gov’t in the U.S. as established in the Constitution.
1.7: Describe how the Constitution limits the powers of government through separation of powers and checks and balances.
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
2.4: Evaluate rights contained in the Bill of Rights and other amendments to the Constitution.
3.6: Evaluate Constitutional rights and their impact on individuals and society.
3.7: Analyze the impact of the 13th, 14th, 15th, 19th, 24th, and 26th amendments on participation of minority groups in the American political process.
BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT
3.8: Analyze the structure, functions, and processes of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.
3.9: Illustrate the law making process at the local, state, and federal levels.
3.5: Explain the Constitutional amendment process.
FEDERALISM & LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT
3.4: Identify the relationship and division of powers between the federal government and state governments.
3.13: Compare the constitutions of the United States and Florida.
3.14: Differentiate between local, state, and federal gov’t obligations and services.
THE LEGAL SYSTEM & IMPACTS OF LAW
2.5: Distinguish how the Constitution safeguards and limits individual rights.
2.6: Simulate the trial process and role of juries in the administration of justice.
3.10: Identify sources and types (civil, criminal, constitutional, military) of law.
3.11: Diagram levels, functions, & powers of courts at the state and federal levels.
3.12: Analyze the significance and outcomes of landmark Supreme Court cases including, but not limited to, Marbury v. Madison, Plessy v. Ferguson, Brown v. Board of Education, Gideon v. Wainwright, Miranda v. Arizona, in re Gault, Tinker v. Des Moines, Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier, US v. Nixon, & Bush v. Gore.
FORMS & SYSTEMS OF GOVERNMENT
3.1: Compare different government forms (direct democracy, representative democracy, socialism, communism, monarchy, oligarchy, autocracy).
3.2: Compare parliamentary, federal, confederal, and unitary systems of gov’t.
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
4.1: Differentiate concepts related to United States domestic & foreign policy.
4.2: Recognize government and citizen participation in international organizations.
4.3: Describe how the United States has dealt with international conflicts.
2.1: Define “citizen,” and identify legal means of becoming a U.S. citizen.
2.2: Evaluate the obligations citizens have to obey laws, pay taxes, defend the nation, and serve on juries.
2.3: Describe responsibilities of citizens at local, state, or federal levels.
1.9: Define “rule of law” and recognize its influence on the development of U.S. legal, political, & governmental systems.
MEDIA & INFLUENCING GOVERNMENT
2.10: Examine impact of the media, individuals, and interest groups on monitoring and influencing government.
2.11: Analyze media and political communication (bias, symbolism, propaganda).
2.13: Examine multiple perspectives on public and current issues.
ELECTIONS & POLITICAL PARTIES
2.8: Identify America’s current political parties & illustrate their ideas about gov’t.
2.9: Evaluate candidates for political office by analyzing their qualifications, debates, experience, issue-based platforms, and ads.
2.7: Conduct a mock election to demonstrate the voting process and its impact on different levels.
FOUNDATIONS OF U.S. GOVERNMENT
1.1: Recognize how Enlightenment ideas (including Montesquieu’s view of separation of power and John Locke’s theories related to natural law) and how Locke’s social contract influenced the Founding Fathers.
1.2: Trace the impact that the Magna Carta, English Bill of Rights, Mayflower Compact, and Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense” had on colonists’ views of gov’t.
1.3: Describe how English policies and responses to colonial concerns led to writing the Declaration of Independence.
1.4: Analyze the ideas (natural rights, role of the government) and complaints set forth in Declaration of Independence.
CREATING THE CONSTITUTION
1.5: Identify how the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation led to the writing of the Constitution.
1.8: Explain the viewpoints of the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists regarding the ratification of the Constitution & inclusion of Bill of Rights.
STRUCTURE & PRINCIPLES OF THE CONSTITUTION
1.6: Interpret the intentions of the Preamble of the Constitution.
3.3: Illustrate the structure and function (three branches of government established in Articles I, II, and III with corresponding powers) of gov’t in the U.S. as established in the Constitution.
1.7: Describe how the Constitution limits the powers of government through separation of powers and checks and balances.
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
2.4: Evaluate rights contained in the Bill of Rights and other amendments to the Constitution.
3.6: Evaluate Constitutional rights and their impact on individuals and society.
3.7: Analyze the impact of the 13th, 14th, 15th, 19th, 24th, and 26th amendments on participation of minority groups in the American political process.
BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT
3.8: Analyze the structure, functions, and processes of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.
3.9: Illustrate the law making process at the local, state, and federal levels.
3.5: Explain the Constitutional amendment process.
FEDERALISM & LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT
3.4: Identify the relationship and division of powers between the federal government and state governments.
3.13: Compare the constitutions of the United States and Florida.
3.14: Differentiate between local, state, and federal gov’t obligations and services.
THE LEGAL SYSTEM & IMPACTS OF LAW
2.5: Distinguish how the Constitution safeguards and limits individual rights.
2.6: Simulate the trial process and role of juries in the administration of justice.
3.10: Identify sources and types (civil, criminal, constitutional, military) of law.
3.11: Diagram levels, functions, & powers of courts at the state and federal levels.
3.12: Analyze the significance and outcomes of landmark Supreme Court cases including, but not limited to, Marbury v. Madison, Plessy v. Ferguson, Brown v. Board of Education, Gideon v. Wainwright, Miranda v. Arizona, in re Gault, Tinker v. Des Moines, Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier, US v. Nixon, & Bush v. Gore.
FORMS & SYSTEMS OF GOVERNMENT
3.1: Compare different government forms (direct democracy, representative democracy, socialism, communism, monarchy, oligarchy, autocracy).
3.2: Compare parliamentary, federal, confederal, and unitary systems of gov’t.
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
4.1: Differentiate concepts related to United States domestic & foreign policy.
4.2: Recognize government and citizen participation in international organizations.
4.3: Describe how the United States has dealt with international conflicts.