The College, Career, and Civic Life C3 Framework for Social Studies State Standards: Guidance for Enhancing the Rigor of K-12 Civics, Economics, Geography, and History is the product of
Developing Questions and Planning Inquiries
Applying Disciplinary Concepts and Tools
APPLYING DISCIPLINARY TOOLS AND CONCEPTS
Evaluating Sources and Using Evidence
EVALUATING SOURCES AND USING EVIDENCE
Communicating Conclusions and Taking Informed Action
Planning Inquiries Civics Gathering and Evaluating
Geography Developing Claims and Using
Learn how to effectively navigate the C3 Framework by understanding its organizational structure, which categorizes foundational content and skills within each discipline For instance, in economics, the framework is divided into four key categories, including Economic Decision Making, to help educators and students focus on essential concepts and skills essential for a comprehensive understanding of the subject.
(2) Exchange and Markets; (3) The National Economy; and (4) The Global Economy See Table 2 for a graph- ical representation of the categories within the four disciplinary subsections in Dimension 2.
Within each subsection or category is a set of College,
Career, and Civic Readiness Indicators for the end of grade 12 For each C3 Indicator, there is a suggested
K-12 Pathways are designed to guide students in developing proficiency in specific skills or concepts over time These pathways recognize and support students' growing ability to understand more complex ideas and tackle increasingly challenging inquiries across different grade levels By providing a structured progression, K-12 Pathways ensure that students build a solid foundation for mastering advanced concepts as they advance through their education.
K–2, 3–5, 6–8, and 9–12 Each Pathway includes three developmental Indicators and the culminating C3
Indicators highlight student proficiency expectations by the end of grades 2, 5, 8, and 12, emphasizing that key skills and concepts will be integrated throughout each grade level States have the flexibility to determine how these suggested pathways influence the development and enhancement of their social studies standards, ensuring alignment with student learning progressions.
Appendices The C3 Framework concludes with five appendices:
The Appendix A: C3 Framework Disciplinary Inquiry Matrix illustrates how the four Dimensions of the C3 Framework are interconnected and develop sequentially, using a content-specific example to demonstrate how each Dimension builds upon the previous one to deepen students' understanding and inquiry skills.
• Appendix B: Psychology Companion Document for the C3 Framework The Psychology
The Companion Document, developed by the American Psychological Association, highlights the key disciplinary tools and concepts fundamental to psychology It provides essential insights into how psychology contributes to understanding content-specific examples outlined in the Appendix A: C3 Framework Disciplinary Inquiry Matrix Additionally, the document specifies C3 Indicators for the 9-12 grade band, aligning with Dimension 2 to support effective teaching and learning in psychology.
• Appendix C: Sociology Companion Document for the C3 Framework The Sociology Companion Document was created by the American
The Sociological Association emphasizes key disciplinary tools and concepts essential to the study of sociology C3 Indicators are outlined for grades 9-12, serving as a foundation for Dimension 2 of the framework Sociology provides a unique and valuable perspective, enriching content-specific examples found in Appendix A: C3 Framework Disciplinary Inquiry Matrix.
• Appendix D: Anthropology Companion Document for the C3 Framework The Anthropology Companion Document was created
Civic and Political Institutions Economic Decision Making Geographic Representations:
Spatial Views of the World Change, Continuity, and
Exchange and Markets Human-Environment
Interaction: Place, Regions, and Culture
Processes, Rules, and Laws The National Economy Human Population: Spatial
Patterns and Movements Historical Sources and
The Global Economy Global Interconnections:
Changing Spatial Patterns Causation and Argumentation
TABLE 2: Dimension 2—Applying Disciplinary Tools and Concepts by the American Anthropological Association and articulates the key disciplinary tools and concepts central to the discipline of anthropology
Anthropology adds its unique and important per- spective to the content-specific example in Appendix
• Appendix E: Scholarly Rationale for the C3
The C3 Framework was created to equip students with critical thinking and inquiry skills essential for understanding societal problems, asking insightful questions, developing thorough investigations, evaluating solutions and consequences, and distinguishing evidence-based claims from opinions It emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and the ability to communicate and act on knowledge, preparing students for success in college, careers, and civic life This framework represents a significant departure from traditional social studies programs, with a scholarly foundation supporting its innovative approach to fostering disciplined and analytical thinking.
The appendices are followed by references and two concluding sections.
• Glossary of Key Terms in the C3 Framework
The glossary offers clear definitions and illustrative examples of key social studies concepts and terms, aiming to promote a broad exchange of ideas While the examples are not exhaustive, they are designed to inspire a deeper understanding and discussion of social studies content These definitions and examples collectively contribute to a coherent vision of how social studies can be enlivened and enriched through engaging and meaningful resources.
The writing team for the sketches comprises experts in K-12 social studies education, including specialists in civics, economics, geography, and history Members were selected based on recommendations from professional associations and state education agencies involved in developing the C3 Framework, ensuring a qualified and knowledgeable team.
What Is Not Covered in the C3 Framework
The C3 Framework serves as a valuable resource for states updating their social studies standards by providing guidance on essential concepts and skills for a comprehensive social studies program It focuses on key student learning outcomes but deliberately does not cover all elements involved in developing and refining educational standards Specifically, there are three main areas not addressed by the framework, highlighting the need for states to consider additional factors in their standards development process.
The C3 Framework emphasizes essential concepts that form the foundation of a rigorous social studies program, including civics, economics, geography, and history Key disciplinary knowledge encompasses topics like the U.S Constitution, economic scarcity, geographical modeling, and chronological sequences While these foundational ideas are crucial, detailed curriculum decisions—such as explaining how a bill becomes law or distinguishing between a map and a globe—are vital for each state to tailor within their local social studies standards.
While the C3 Framework primarily focuses on civics, economics, geography, and history, it is important to recognize that other disciplines like anthropology, psychology, and sociology also play a vital role in enriching a comprehensive social studies curriculum These fields offer valuable perspectives and insights into the human experience that complement and deepen understanding beyond the core disciplines outlined in the framework.
Anthropology, psychology, and sociology are scientific disciplines that explore different aspects of human life—anthropology studies humans past and present, psychology focuses on the mind and behavior, while sociology examines social interactions within groups and societies These fields have numerous practical applications in everyday life Studying behavioral and social sciences not only enriches students’ understanding of human behavior but also prepares them for college, careers, and civic engagement by fostering critical thinking, inquiry, problem-solving, evidence-based reasoning, and effective communication.
Learn how to effectively interpret the C3 Framework by mastering its 15 essential skills, which include developing multi-cultural and global understandings This framework emphasizes the importance of working collaboratively with diverse groups and fostering a deep sense of personal and social responsibility According to the American Anthropological Association, these competencies are crucial for preparing students to navigate complex societal challenges and become responsible global citizens.
The behavioral and social sciences align well with the C3 Framework, which emphasizes the four core social studies disciplines, although some are not explicitly included These sciences are primarily taught at the high school level, but initiatives are underway to enhance their integration into K-8 education The C3 Framework is designed as a comprehensive K-12 guide, providing targeted support for different grade bands, including K-2.