Illinois Social Science Standards

The Illinois Learning Standards define what all students in all Illinois public schools should know and be able to do in the six core areas as a result of their elementary and secondary schooling.

Social Science Mandates

On December 16, 2015, the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) adopted amendments to rules governing Public Schools Evaluation, Recognition and Supervision (23 Illinois Administrative Code 1), which included the new Illinois Learning Standards for Social Science. This standards are derived from the College, Career & Civic Life (C3) Framework for Social Studies State Standards.

The rule-making became effective on January 27, 2016, and provided that school districts must fully implement the new standards by the 2017-18 school year. The purpose of these new, more rigorous standards is to better prepare students to be college and career ready.

Standards by Grade Level

• Kindergarten | Grade 1 | Grade 2 | Grade 3 | Grade 4 | Grade 5 | Middle School (6-8) | High School (9-12)

To support your Scope and Sequence planning for 2021-2022, visit the Curriculum and Resources page for grades 6-12 Social Science Scope and Sequence Guidance.

Social Science Mandates

You can find information regarding policies that mandate content and/or curriculum that must be addressed in the Chicago Public Schools in our Mandate Implementation Guide for Social Science and Civic Engagement.

For additional information on the requirements listed below, please see the CPS minimum graduation policy, the Illinois State Social Science Learning Standards, and the Illinois Classrooms in Action guidance on state mandates in Social Science.