A major educational need, as assessed by a committee of teachers, students, and community members, is to recognize acceptance of human dignity as the ultimate value in decision making. This concept provides a basis for the elementary and secondary social studies program. Although the concept of human dignity was promoted with the signing of the Magna Carta, in reality society is not too concerned with the individual and human dignity. Program goals are to help each student develop a positive self image; and understanding of various groups of people; critical thinking skills to evaluate evidence and come to a logical conclusion; and experience in choosing between alternative values. Teaching approaches are future-, role-, and process-oriented, emphasizing inquiry methods to examine social problems and controversial issues. Classroom micro-societies provide students with opportunities to work together in groups. Course content focuses on ethnic studies and incorporates topical multi-media materials. Through the study of the social sciences, the student will demonstrate a growing appreciation of human dignity. (SJM)