Educators from around the state, with the help of The Vermont Institutes, developed Vermont History and Social Sciences Grade Cluster Expectations (GCEs) as a means to identify the content knowledge and skills expected of all students for local assessment required under Act 68. This work was accomplished using the "Vermont's Framework of Standards and Learning Opportunities," Vermont curricula, national standard documents, state standard documents, and current research as resources. The Grade Expectations (GEs) were reviewed by history and social sciences educators from around the state. The data from field review was collected, reviewed, and used to revise the GEs. They were then sent out for Expert Review and revised one final time. History and Social Sciences GEs are not intended to represent the full curriculum for instruction at each grade cluster. GEs are meant to capture the essential learning elements that can be assessed locally. In other words, the GEs are a guide to assessment and should not "narrow" the curriculum for instructional purposes. History and Social Sciences GEs include concepts and skills not easily assessed in an on-demand setting. Many processes are ongoing throughout the school year and are best assessed within the classroom.