​​​​​The NAEP Civics Achievement Level Details

Fourth-grade students performing at the NAEP Basic level should have an understanding of what government is and what it does, and they should be able to identify some things that government is not allowed to do. These students should have some understanding of the foundations of the American political system. In the context of their school and community, they should understand rules and laws, rights and responsibilities, and ways to participate in governing. These students should know that the world is divided into many countries.

Fourth-grade students performing at the NAEP Basic level should have some understanding of what government is and what it does, and they should be able to identify some things that government is not allowed to do. They should be able to explain purposes of rules in the school and the co​mmunity, and to describe what happens when people break laws. These students should understand how national holidays and symbols such as the flag, the Statue of Liberty, and the Fourth of July reflect shared American values, and they should be able to identify different types of diversity in American society. They should be able to describe ways to settle disagreements or conflicts peacefully. They should be able to name the president and their state governor and to identify rights and responsibilities of a citizen. They should know some ways that students can participate in governing their school and community, and they should be able to describe qualities of a good leader. Finally, these students should know that the world is divided into many countries.

Fourth-grade students performing at the NAEP Proficient level should have a good understanding of what the American government does and of why it is not allowed to act in certain ways. These students should have an age-appropriate understanding of the foundations of the American political system. They should understand purposes of laws, ways shared beliefs unify Americans, what it means to be a citizen, and rights and responsibilities of citizens, and the idea of public participation in governing. These students should be able to describe ways in which countries interact with one another.

Fourth-grade students performing at the NAEP Proficient level should have a good understanding of what the American government does and of why it is not allowed to act in certain ways. They should be able to explain why we have laws. These students should be able to recognize diversity in American society and that Americans are united by shared beliefs and principles. They should know that the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence are founding documents of American democracy. They should be able to explain how people make decisions about the ways they live together in a democracy and how groups in schools and communities can manage conflict peacefully. They should know what it means to be a citizen of their state and the nation, and they should be able to distinguish between rights and responsibilities of citizens. They should understand why it is important for people to participate in governing their school and community. Finally, these students should be able to describe ways in which countries interact with one another.

Fourth-grade students performing at the NAEP Advanced level should understand and be able to explain some purposes of government. When given age-appropriate examples, they should recognize differences between power and authority and between limited and unlimited government. They should be able to explain the importance of shared values in American democracy, to identify ways citizens can participate in governing, and to understand that with rights come responsibilities. They should be able to explain how nations benefit when they resolve conflicts peacefully.

Fourth-grade students performing at the NAEP Advanced level should understand and be able to explain some purposes of government. They should recognize differences between power and authority when given examples and should understand differences between limited and unlimited government. These students should be able to explain why it is important that citizens share a commitment to the values of American democracy, and they should be aware of the benefits and challenges of both unity and diversity in American society. They should be able to distinguish between services provided by local and state levels of government. These students should be able to describe how government can make it possible for people to accomplish goals they could not achieve alone. They should be able to identify ways in which citizens can keep track of their government's actions, and they should understand the connection between rights and responsibilities of a citizen. Finally, they should be able to explain how nations benefit when they resolve conflicts peacefully.

• describe the structure and function of government;
• identify the difference between civic and private life; and
• interpret stimuli to identify governing documents and their purpose.

Regarding the content for U.S. and world affairs, students performing at the NAEP Basic achievement level likely can

• identify potential areas of conflict and cooperation between countries; and
• recognize that the United States is part of an interconnected world.

Regarding the content for the roles of U.S. citizens, students performing at the NAEP Basic achievement level likely can

• identify restrictions to fundamental freedoms;
• identify ways in which citizens influence American society; and
• describe the rights and responsibilities of U.S. citizens.

Regarding the content for the constitution and American government, students performing at the NAEP Basic achievement level likely can

• identify and explain the sources and purposes of tax dollars;
• identify the purpose of each level of government: national, state, local; and
• identify ways in which the media and private citizens can express opinions and play a role in the political process.

Regarding the content for foundations of the American political system, students performing at the NAEP Basic achievement level likely can

• identify key democratic ideals, including equality and individual rights;
• identify equality under law, consent of the governed, and natural rights; and
• describe how the U.S. has not always lived up to its founding ideals and principles.

Regarding the content for civic life, politics, and government, students performing at the NAEP Proficient achievement level likely can

• describe different types of government;
• identify separation of powers and checks and balances;
• analyze and infer the meaning from a variety of different civics-related sources;
• analyze the responsibilities/purposes of government; and
• recognize the need to balance rights and responsibilities of citizens.

Regarding the content for U.S. and world affairs, students performing at the NAEP Proficient achievement level likely can

• examine ways in which the United States influences other countries;
• evaluate global scenarios and determine the effect that these scenarios may have on the United States and its policies; and
• identify foreign policy issues.

Regarding the content for the roles of U.S. citizens, students performing at the NAEP Proficient achievement level likely can

• identify the process of becoming a U.S. citizen;
• make inferences about media sources to gain political and civic information;
• explain the differences between civic rights, civic responsibilities, and the duties of citizens;
• describe how rights are protected and limited by the U.S. Constitution; and
• explain how rights have evolved in the U.S. Constitution.

Regarding the content for the constitution and American government, students performing at the NAEP Proficient achievement level likely can

• describe the rights of citizens, including due process of law;
• describe how the media can play a role in elections and the democratic process;
• explain the purpose and functions of each level of government: national, state, local; and
• describe ways in which citizens influence government.

Regarding the content for foundations of the American political system, students performing at the NAEP Proficient achievement level likely can

• describe the purpose of the Bill of Rights and apply the Bill of Rights to real-world scenarios;
• explain that the United States is made up of diverse groups, whose ideas have contributed to the American political system;
• draw conclusions from sources to describe the foundations of American democracy;​
• describe how U.S. constitutional democracy relies on an educated citizenry; and
• identify reasons why the United States can be viewed as the land of opportunity.

Regarding the content for civic life, politics, and government, students performing at the NAEP Advanced achievement level likely can evaluate sources to draw conclusions about early American political history

• identify information from multimedia sources with differing points of view; and
• analyze and apply the concept of federalism.

Regarding the content for U.S. and world affairs, students performing at the NAEP Advanced achievement level likely can

• identify the roles, purposes, and limitations of international organizations; and
• explain global issues and develop potential solutions to global problems.

Regarding the content for the roles of U.S. citizens, students performing at the NAEP Advanced achievement level likely can

• explain how individuals participate in and influence the democratic process; and
• evaluate the importance of civic responsibilities in a democracy.

Regarding the content for the constitution and American government, students performing at the NAEP Advanced achievement level likely can

• explain the role of political parties and interest groups in the democratic process;
• explain how the media plays a role in elections and the democratic process; and
• analyze the functions of the three branches of government.

Regarding the content for foundations of the American political system, students performing at the NAEP Advanced achievement level likely can

• describe the purpose of various founding documents, including the U.S. Constitution and The Federalist Papers;
• evaluate competing ideas within the U.S. political system;
• evaluate how the diversity of the United States has contributed to the development of the American political system; and
• describe changes in American society and government.

Twelfth-grade students performing at the NAEP Basic level should have an understanding of what is meant by civil society, constitutional government, and politics. They should know that constitutional governments can take different forms, and they should understand the fundamental principles of American constitutional government and politics, including functions of political parties and other organizations. They should understand both rights and responsibilities in a democratic society, and they should recognize the value of political participation. They should be familiar with international issues that affect the United States.

Twelfth-grade students performing at the NAEP Basic level should have an understanding of what is meant by civil society, constitutional government, and politics. They should know that constitutional governments can take different forms, and they should understand the fundamental principles of American constitutional government. These students should be able to explain ways that political parties, interest groups, and the media contribute to elections, and they should be able to point out sources of information about public policy issues. They should understand that both power and rights must be limited in a free society. They should be able to identify those traits that make people responsible citizens, and they should be able to describe forms of political participation available in a democracy and recognize reasons that such participation is important. These students should be able to provide simple interpretations of non-text-based information, like maps, charts, tables, graphs, and cartoons. Finally, they should be familiar with international issues that affect the United States.

Twelfth-grade students performing at the NAEP Proficient level should have a good understanding of how constitutions can limit the power of government and support the rule of law. They should be able to describe similarities and differences among constitutional systems of government, and they should be able to explain fundamental American democratic values, their applications, and their contribution to expanding political participation. They should understand the structure of American government and be able to evaluate activities of political parties, interest groups, and media in public affairs. They should be able to explain the importance of political participation, public service, and political leadership. They should be able to describe major elements of American foreign policy and the performance of major international organizations.

Twelfth-grade students performing at the NAEP Proficient level should have a good understanding of how constitutions can limit the power of government and support the rule of law. They should be able to distinguish between parliamentary systems of government and those based on separate and shared powers, and they should be able to describe the structure and functions of American government. These students should be able to identify issues in which fundamental democratic values and principles are in conflict--liberty and equality, individual rights and the common good, and majority rule and minority rights, for example, and they should be able to take and defend positions on these issues. They should be able to evaluate ways that law protects individual rights and promotes the common good in American society. They should understand how the application of fundamental principles of American constitutional democracy has expanded participation in public life, and they should be able to explain how citizens can work individually and collectively to monitor and influence public policy. These students should understand the importance and means of participation in political life at the national, state, and local levels. They should be able to evaluate contributions made by political parties, interest groups, and the media to the development of public policy, and they should be able to explain how public service and political leadership contribute to American democracy. They should understand how American foreign policy is made and carried out, and they should be able to evaluate the performance of major international organizations. Finally, these students should be able to discuss reasons for and consequences of conflicts that arise when international disputes cannot be resolved peacefully.

Twelfth-grade students performing at the NAEP Advanced level should have a thorough and mature understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of various forms of constitutional democracy. They should be able to explain fully the structure of American government and the political process. They should understand differences between American ideals and realities, and they should be able to explain past and present responses to those differences. They should understand why civic dispositions and individual and collective political actions sustain democracy. They should be able to explain objectives and consequences of American foreign policy.

Twelfth-grade students performing at the NAEP Advanced level should have a thorough and mature understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of various forms of constitutional democracy. They should be able to discuss advantages and disadvantages of confederal, federal, and unitary systems of government, as well as strengths and weaknesses of parliamentary systems of government when compared with those based on separate and shared powers. These students should be able to explain how the structure of American government and the nation's social and political cultures serve one another. They should know which level and agency of government to contact to express their opinions or influence public policy. They should be able to explain and evaluate past and present individual and collective political actions aimed at narrowing the gap between American ideals and national reality. They should understand how elections help determine public policies, and they should be able to evaluate public policy issues in which fundamental values and principles are in conflict--liberty and equality, individual rights and the common good, and majority rule and minority rights, for example. These students should be able to evaluate the validity and emotional appeal of past and present political communication. They should be able to explain how civic dispositions such as civility, tolerance, and respect for law are important for preserving democracy, and they should be able to evaluate the many forms of participation in public affairs. Finally, they should be able to explain how American foreign policy is made and carried out and to evaluate its consequences.​​​
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