The New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards were first adopted by the State Board of Education in 1996. The standards are not curriculum, which is decided at the local level.  Rather, the standards describe what students should know and be able to do upon completion of a thirteen-year public school education. The standards are also designed to help teachers prepare our students to be college- and career-ready.

Revised every five years, the standards provide local school districts with clear and specific benchmarks for student achievement in nine content areas. Developed by panels of teachers, administrators, parents, students, and representatives from higher education, business, and the community, the standards are influenced by national standards, research-based practice, and student need. The standards define a "Thorough and Efficient Education" as guaranteed in 1875 by the New Jersey Constitution.

The New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards include Preschool Teaching and Learning Standards, as well as nine K-12 standards for the following:

21st Century Life and Careers
Comprehensive Health and Physical Education
Science
Social Studies
Technology;
Visual and Performing Arts
World Languages
Mathematics
Language Arts Literacy

The most recent review and revision of the standards occurred in 2014.

The 2014 Social Studies Standards provide the foundation for creating local curricula and developing meaningful assessments. Minor revisions were made to the 2009 Social Studies Standards for one of the following four reasons - to provide clarity, increase accuracy, adjust pedagogical expectations or to address grammatical issues. The revisions that were made are intended to clarify the document and do not reflect major changes to the standards. In addition, several new skills were added to the Skills Table to reflect the expectations of the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science and Technical Subjects

Social Studies Education in the 21st Century

The digital age has transformed social studies education, allowing 21st-century learners to transcend the limits of time and place and experience historic events virtually. By expanding their learning networks through online collaboration with experts and other students from around the world, New Jersey social studies students develop an increased depth of understanding of our global society. At the same time, their understanding of the fundamental principles and values of American democracy and citizenship provides the conceptual framework that allows them to make informed decisions about local, national, and international issues and challenges

 Mission: Social studies education provides learners with the knowledge, skills, and perspectives needed to become active, informed citizens and contributing members of local, state, national, and global communities in the digital age.

Vision: An education in social studies fosters a population that:

• Is civic minded, globally aware, and socially responsible.
• Exemplifies fundamental values of American citizenship through active participation in local and global communities.
• Makes informed decisions about local, state, national, and global events based on inquiry and analysis.
• Considers multiple perspectives, values diversity, and promotes cultural understanding.
• Recognizes the implications of an interconnected global economy.
• Appreciates the global dynamics between people, places, and resources.
• Utilizes emerging technologies to communicate and collaborate on career and personal matters with citizens of other world regions

Intent and Spirit of the Social Studies Standards

All students receive social studies instruction from Preschool through grade 12. The challenges of the 21st century are complex, have global implications, and are connected to people, places, and events of the past. The study of social studies focuses on deep understanding of concepts that enable students to think critically and systematically about local, regional, national, and global issues.

Authentic learning experiences that enable students to apply content knowledge, develop citizenship skills, and collaborate with students from around the world prepare New Jersey students for the 21st-century workplace. The natural integration of technology in social studies education allows students to overcome geographic borders, apply scientific and mathematical analysis to historical questions and contemporary issues, appreciate cultural diversity, and experience events through the examination of primary sources.

The Common Core is a set of high-quality academic standards in Mathematics and English language arts/literacy (ELA). There are also Common Core standards for Social Studies for grades 6-12, these standards focus on:

-Key Ideas and Details

-Craft and Structure

-Integration of Knowledge and Ideas

-Range of Reading and Level of Text Complexity

These learning goals outline what a student should know and be able to do at the end of each grade. The standards were created to ensure that all students graduate from high school with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in college, career, and life, regardless of where they live.