Standards of Learning: History & Civic Studies

Policy Number:  
SOL-HCS-001
Version:  
1.0
Effective Date:  
October 1, 2025
Review Date:  
October 1, 2026
Last Updated:  
October 8, 2025
Functional Area Manager:  
Director of Academic Operations

Consolidated Standards of Learning

Grades 5 - 8

United States History

  • LHA.HCS.USA.001: Investigate the migration theories and adaptation strategies of early human populations arriving in the Americas.
  • LHA.HCS.USA.002: Examine the diverse cultures, economies, and environmental interactions of Indigenous Peoples across North America.
  • LHA.HCS.USA.003: Analyze the social, economic, and environmental costs of European expansion on Indigenous communities.
  • LHA.HCS.USA.004: Explore the motivations, technologies, and cultural exchanges that facilitated the opening of the Atlantic World.
  • LHA.HCS.USA.005: Assess the founding, governance, and economic development of Virginia as a foundational English colony.
  • LHA.HCS.USA.006: Compare the geographic, economic, and social characteristics of the Thirteen Colonies.
  • LHA.HCS.USA.007: Investigate regional economic differences and cultural identities among the Northern, Middle, and Southern colonies.
  • LHA.HCS.USA.008: Evaluate the political and economic grievances that led to escalating conflicts between colonists and Britain.
  • LHA.HCS.USA.009: Analyze the role of British parliamentary actions and colonial responses in fueling pre-Revolutionary protests.
  • LHA.HCS.USA.010: Examine key events, figures, and propaganda that mobilized colonists toward the outbreak of armed conflict.
  • LHA.HCS.USA.011: Assess the strategies, battles, and ideological foundations that shaped the American Revolution's outcome.
  • LHA.HCS.USA.012: Evaluate the debates, compromises, and principles in creating the U.S. Constitution and early government.
  • LHA.HCS.USA.013: Investigate George Washington's leadership and the establishment of presidential precedents.
  • LHA.HCS.USA.014: Analyze Thomas Jefferson's policies, the Louisiana Purchase, and their impact on national expansion.
  • LHA.HCS.USA.015: Examine the causes, key events, and consequences of the War of 1812 on American identity.
  • LHA.HCS.USA.016: Explore internal improvements, economic growth, and sectionalism in the early 19th-century United States.
  • LHA.HCS.USA.017: Investigate the motivations, challenges, and cultural impacts of westward migration in the 1840s.
  • LHA.HCS.USA.018: Assess Texas's path to independence, annexation, and its unique role as a republic.
  • LHA.HCS.USA.019: Analyze the territorial disputes, military campaigns, and outcomes of the Mexican-American War.
  • LHA.HCS.USA.020: Examine social, religious, and political reform movements shaping American society in the antebellum era.
  • LHA.HCS.USA.021: Evaluate the economic, political, and moral debates over slavery that deepened sectional divisions.
  • LHA.HCS.USA.022: Investigate the military strategies, key battles, and human costs of the Civil War.
  • LHA.HCS.USA.023: Analyze the Reconstruction amendments, policies, and challenges in rebuilding the post-Civil War South.
  • LHA.HCS.USA.024: Explore the economic booms of railroads, mining, and ranching in the post-Civil War West.
  • LHA.HCS.USA.025: Examine conflicts and cultural clashes between settlers, Indigenous Nations, and the U.S. government.
  • LHA.HCS.USA.026: Assess technological innovations, labor changes, and corporate growth during the Second Industrial Revolution.
  • LHA.HCS.USA.027: Investigate patterns of immigration, urbanization, and social adjustments in late 19th-century America.
  • LHA.HCS.USA.028: Evaluate Progressive Era reforms addressing corruption, inequality, and labor rights.
  • LHA.HCS.USA.029: Analyze motivations for U.S. expansionism and the acquisition of overseas territories.
  • LHA.HCS.USA.030: Examine the causes, naval battles, and territorial gains of the Spanish-American War.
  • LHA.HCS.USA.031: Assess Theodore Roosevelt's foreign policies and the construction of the Panama Canal.
  • LHA.HCS.USA.032: Investigate U.S. entry, home front efforts, and the global impact of World War I.
  • LHA.HCS.USA.033: Explore cultural shifts, economic prosperity, and social changes during the Roaring Twenties.
  • LHA.HCS.USA.034: Analyze the stock market crash, Dust Bowl, and government responses to the Great Depression.
  • LHA.HCS.USA.035: Examine the rise of fascism, appeasement policies, and early U.S. neutrality in World War II.
  • LHA.HCS.USA.036: Investigate American industrial mobilization, rationing, and civil liberties during the World War II home front.
  • LHA.HCS.USA.037: Assess D-Day, Allied advances, and U.S. contributions to the European theater.
  • LHA.HCS.USA.038: Analyze Pacific island campaigns, atomic bombings, and the war's conclusion.
  • LHA.HCS.USA.039: Explore postwar economic boom, suburbanization, and the GI Bill's societal impacts.
  • LHA.HCS.USA.040: Examine the origins, containment policy, and military engagements of the Korean War.
  • LHA.HCS.USA.041: Investigate demographic trends, consumer culture, and family life during the Baby Boom era.
  • LHA.HCS.USA.042: Analyze key leaders, strategies, and legislative achievements of the Civil Rights Movement.
  • LHA.HCS.USA.043: Evaluate the roles, tactics, and contributions of civil rights organizations like NAACP and SNCC.
  • LHA.HCS.USA.044: Explore proxy conflicts, arms race, and domestic fears during Cold War escalations.
  • LHA.HCS.USA.045: Assess Richard Nixon's domestic policies, Watergate scandal, and foreign diplomacy.
  • LHA.HCS.USA.046: Investigate Jimmy Carter's energy crisis management, human rights focus, and Iran hostage situation.
  • LHA.HCS.USA.047: Analyze Ronald Reagan's economic policies, Cold War strategies, and cultural conservatism.
  • LHA.HCS.USA.048: Examine technological advancements, globalization, and political shifts in the 1990s.
  • LHA.HCS.USA.049: Explore the 9/11 attacks, War on Terror, and economic challenges of the 2000s.
  • LHA.HCS.USA.050: Investigate social movements, pandemics, and political polarization shaping the 2020s.
  • LHA.HCS.USA.051: Analyze ongoing global issues, U.S. policy responses, and civic participation in current events.

World History

  • LHA.HCS.WOR.001: Investigate the origins, migration patterns, and survival strategies of early humans during the Paleolithic Era.
  • LHA.HCS.WOR.002: Examine the technological advancements, agriculture, and settled communities of the Neolithic Period.
  • LHA.HCS.WOR.003: Analyze the innovations, city-states, and cultural achievements of ancient Mesopotamia.
  • LHA.HCS.WOR.004: Explore the diverse societies, trade networks, and kingdoms of ancient Africa.
  • LHA.HCS.WOR.005: Assess the maritime trade, alphabet development, and religious histories of the Phoenicians and Israelites.
  • LHA.HCS.WOR.006: Investigate the Indus Valley civilization, Vedic traditions, and early empires of ancient India.
  • LHA.HCS.WOR.007: Examine the dynasties, philosophies, and inventions that shaped ancient China.
  • LHA.HCS.WOR.008: Analyze the republic, empire expansion, and engineering feats of ancient Rome.
  • LHA.HCS.WOR.009: Evaluate the preservation of Roman law, Orthodox Christianity, and artistic legacy in the Byzantine Empire.
  • LHA.HCS.WOR.010: Explore the origins, expansions, and cultural influences of Islam during the Middle Ages.
  • LHA.HCS.WOR.011: Investigate the Olmec, Maya, and Inca civilizations and their contributions to the Americas.
  • LHA.HCS.WOR.012: Assess the Tang and Song dynasties' advancements in art, science, and governance during China's Golden Age.
  • LHA.HCS.WOR.013: Examine the feudal system, samurai culture, and isolationist policies of medieval Japan.
  • LHA.HCS.WOR.014: Analyze the conquests, trade routes, and administrative impacts of the Mongol Empire.
  • LHA.HCS.WOR.015: Explore the Delhi Sultanate, Mughal influences, and religious developments in medieval India.
  • LHA.HCS.WOR.016: Investigate the feudalism, manorial system, and Church's role in medieval Europe.
  • LHA.HCS.WOR.017: Evaluate the motivations, outcomes, and cultural exchanges of the European Crusades in the Muslim world.
  • LHA.HCS.WOR.018: Examine the artistic revival, humanism, and key figures that sparked the Renaissance.
  • LHA.HCS.WOR.019: Analyze the theological challenges, reforms, and divisions caused by the Protestant Reformation.
  • LHA.HCS.WOR.020: Explore the Age of Exploration, navigational tools, and European voyages across the oceans.
  • LHA.HCS.WOR.021: Assess the motivations, challenges, and economic pursuits of European trade with Asia.
  • LHA.HCS.WOR.022: Investigate the establishment, conflicts, and indigenous impacts of European colonies in the Americas.
  • LHA.HCS.WOR.023: Evaluate the breakthroughs in science, reason, and governance from the Scientific Revolution and Enlightenment.
  • LHA.HCS.WOR.024: Examine the absolute monarchies, divine right theory, and power consolidations in Europe.
  • LHA.HCS.WOR.025: Analyze the causes, key battles, and ideological principles of the American Revolution.
  • LHA.HCS.WOR.026: Explore the rise of nationalism in Europe and independence struggles in South America and Haiti.
  • LHA.HCS.WOR.027: Assess the sectional conflicts, abolitionism, and outcomes of the American Civil War.
  • LHA.HCS.WOR.028: Investigate the technological innovations, urbanization, and social changes of the Industrial Revolution.
  • LHA.HCS.WOR.029: Examine the leaders, suffrage campaigns, and global impacts of the women's rights movement.
  • LHA.HCS.WOR.030: Analyze the economic motivations, missionary activities, and territorial grabs of European imperialism.
  • LHA.HCS.WOR.031: Evaluate the Berlin Conference, resistance movements, and partition of Africa by Europeans.
  • LHA.HCS.WOR.032: Explore the Meiji Restoration, modernization efforts, and Western influences in Japan.
  • LHA.HCS.WOR.033: Assess the causes, naval engagements, and imperial consequences of the Spanish-American War.
  • LHA.HCS.WOR.034: Investigate indigenous and colonized peoples' strategies of resistance against European domination.
  • LHA.HCS.WOR.035: Analyze the alliances, trench warfare, and global repercussions of World War I.
  • LHA.HCS.WOR.036: Examine the economic collapse, unemployment, and policy responses during the Great Depression.
  • LHA.HCS.WOR.037: Evaluate the rise of totalitarianism, economic recovery efforts, and political realignments after World War I.
  • LHA.HCS.WOR.038: Explore the Axis aggression, Allied strategies, and human costs of World War II.
  • LHA.HCS.WOR.039: Analyze postwar decolonization, NATO formation, and conflicts in Europe and the Middle East.
  • LHA.HCS.WOR.040: Investigate the ideological divide, proxy wars, and space race during the Cold War.
  • LHA.HCS.WOR.041: Assess the Gandhi-inspired movements, African independence, and Asian decolonization after World War II.
  • LHA.HCS.WOR.042: Examine globalization, technological revolutions, and cultural interconnections in the modern world.
  • LHA.HCS.WOR.043: Explore the scientific evidence, international agreements, and human impacts of climate change.
  • LHA.HCS.WOR.044: Analyze recent global crises, diplomatic responses, and their effects on international relations in current events.

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Appendix A: References

Rothman, L. (with Bigler, P.). (2022). Everything you need to ace U.S. history in one big fat notebook: The complete middle school study guide. Workman Publishing.

Vengoechea, X., Henry, B., Hall, T., & Pearce, C. (with Lindblad, M.). (2023). Everything you need to ace world history in one big fat notebook: The complete middle school study guide (2nd edition.). Workman Publishing.

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