Civic Education Benchmarks: Grades 6-8

Go to Benchmarks for Grades K-3 | 4-5 | 9-12

Civic education benchmarks in Delaware have been designed to cover four basic categories of understanding with respect to civics for grades K-12: government, politics, citizenship, and participation.

Benchmarks for Grades 6-8

Civics 1 (Government)

  • Understand that governments have the power to make and enforce laws and regulations, levy taxes, conduct foreign policy, and make war.
  • Analyze the different functions of federal, state, and local governments in the United States and examine the reasons for the different organizational structures each level of government employs.

Civics 2 (Politics)

  • Understand that the concept of majority rule does not mean that the rights of minorities may be disregarded and will examine and apply the protections accorded those minorities in the American political system.
  • Understand the principles and content of major American state papers such as the Declaration of Independence; United States Constitution (including the Bill of Rights); and the Federalist Papers.

Civics 3 (Citizenship)

  • Understand that civil rights secure political freedom while property rights secure economic freedom and that both are essential protections for United States citizens.
  • Understand that American citizenship includes responsibilities such as voting, jury duty, obeying the law, service in the armed forces when required, and public service.

Civics 4 (Participation)

  • Follow the actions of elected officials, and understand and employ the mechanisms for communicating with them while in office.