<- Back to Social Studies Curriculum

New Jersey Student Learning Standards and Information

New: The New Jersey Student Learning Standards (NJSLS) are reviewed and revised every five years. The 2020 NJSLS were adopted by the State Board of Education on June 3, 2020. The 2020 New Jersey Student Learning Standards webpage provides links to the 2020 NJSLS and information regarding curriculum implementation dates.

Social Studies Education in the 21st Century

The digital age has transformed social studies education, allowing 21st-century learners to transcend the limits of time and place and experience historic events virtually. By expanding their learning networks through online collaboration with experts and other students from around the world, New Jersey social studies students develop an increased depth of understanding of our global society. At the same time, their understanding of the fundamental principles and values of American democracy and citizenship provides the conceptual framework that allows them to make informed decisions about local, national, and international issues and challenges.

Mission: Social studies education provides learners with the knowledge, skills, and perspectives needed to become active, informed citizens and contributing members of local, state, national, and global communities in the digital age.

Vision: An education in social studies fosters a population that:

• Is civic minded, globally aware, and socially responsible.

• Exemplifies fundamental values of American citizenship through active participation in local and global communities.

• Makes informed decisions about local, state, national, and global events based on inquiry and analysis.

• Considers multiple perspectives, values diversity, and promotes cultural understanding.

• Recognizes the implications of an interconnected global economy.

• Appreciates the global dynamics between people, places, and resources.

• Utilizes emerging technologies to communicate and collaborate on career and personal matters with citizens of other world regions.

Intent and Spirit of the Social Studies Standards

All students receive social studies instruction from Preschool through grade 12. The challenges of the 21st century are complex, have global implications, and are connected to people, places, and events of the past. The study of social studies focuses on deep understanding of concepts that enable students to think critically and systematically about local, regional, national, and global issues.

Authentic learning experiences that enable students to apply content knowledge, develop citizenship skills, and collaborate with students from around the world prepare New Jersey students for the 21st-century workplace. The natural integration of technology in social studies education allows students to overcome geographic borders, apply scientific and mathematical analysis to historical questions and contemporary issues, appreciate cultural diversity, and experience events through the examination of

Social Studies (HS)

Introduction

The social studies writers have developed units to meet the expectations of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards for Social Studies and English Language Arts Companion Standards for History/Social Studies, Science and Technical Subjects. These units are designed for US History I, US History II, and World History courses and include the Civics, Geography, Economics, and Historical Perspective strands.

A note about the integration of the standards for social studies and English Language Arts Companion Standards for History/Social Studies, Science and Technical Subjects in the units:

• All SLOs reflect the expectations of the social studies indicators.

• Some SLOs include the integration of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards for English Language Arts Companion Standards for History/Social Studies, Science and Technical Subjects. For example, the expectations of those standards were included in a unit when the content of the time period and/or available resources would provide an opportunity for students to engage in developing essential civic, economic, geographic, and historical thinking skills. 

• SLOs that include the New Jersey Student Learning Standards for English Language Arts Companion Standards for History/Social Studies, Science and Technical Subjects are in italics.

• The New Jersey Student Learning Standards for English Language Arts Companion Standards for History/Social Studies, Science and Technical Subjects appear multiple times across the units and should be assessed periodically (in part or whole) in one or more units to gauge the students' progress towards mastery.

• Several New Jersey Student Learning Standards for English Language Arts Companion Standards for History/Social Studies, Science and Technical Subjects have not been identified or fully addressed in the model curriculum because their inclusion depends on individual student needs as well as text selection (i.e., RH. 4, 5, 10 and WHST. 3, 5, 10).

• When appropriate, teachers should design additional learning experiences to address specific New Jersey Student Learning Standards for English Language Arts Companion Standards for History/Social Studies, Science and Technical Subjects based on results from formative assessments and individual student needs.

• If a unit is taught at a different grade level (see standards into units chart below), the teacher should make the necessary modifications to meet the expectations of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards for English Language Arts Companion Standards for History/Social Studies, Science and Technical Subjects at that grade level.

Standards into Units