The College, Career, and Civic Life Framework (C3) MSDE - Elementary and Middle School MSDE - High School

The College, Career, and Civic Life Framework (C3)

The primary set of standards used for all Social Studies Courses, K-12, are the College, Career, and Civic Life Framework for Social Studies State Standards, also known as C3. This document outlines what students should be able to do by the end of grade 2, 5, 8, and 12. The document is organized into the following four dimensions:

• Dimension 1: Developing Questions and Planning Inquiries
• Dimension 2: Applying Disciplinary Concepts and Tools
• Dimension 3: Evaluating Sources and Using Evidence
• Dimension 4: Communicating Conclusions and Taking Informed Action

Dimension 2 is further subdivided into four disciplinary tools, which represent the primary areas of study in Social Studies courses. They are:

• Civics
• Economics
• Geography
• History

Click Here to Download the Full C3 Document:                               Click Here for an Overview of C3:

A more streamlined version of C3 without the accompanying explanations may be accessed here.

MSDE - Elementary and Middle School

Another set of standards used in Baltimore County is the Maryland State Curriculum. This set of standards address both the skills outlined in the C3 document and specific content that should be taught by the end of grades 2, 5, and 8. The complete State Curriculum for each grade can be accessed on the MSDE website at http://mdk12.msde.maryland.gov/instruction/curriculum/social_studies/index.html 

A breakdown of the standards by grade band and content is available on the following pages:

• For grades K-2, click here.
• For grades 3-5, click here.
• For grades 6-8, click here.

MSDE - High School

The high school standards are course-specific, since different counties sequence their curricula in different ways. 

• The Grade 9 Government standards may be accessed here.
• The Grade 10 World History standards are under revision, and are not available online at this time.
• The Grade 11 US History standards are available here.
• The Grade 12 Economics and Public Issues course addresses the standards for personal financial literacy education, available here.