This guide is offered as a framework on which a comprehensive curriculum can be built. Within each subject area and grade level, skills have been identified at three instructional levels: basic, developmental, and extension. The study of political and economic systems, citizenship rights and responsibilities, and the foundations of the U.S. political system form the core of the civics and government course. United States history after 1865 is taught in grades 9 to 11. A contemporary history course emphasizes the years from World War II to the present. Economic decision making, economic systems, the market system, business cycles, and monetary and fiscal policies undergird the economics course. The global studies program stresses the commonalities, rather than the differences of people around the globe. The world cultures course provides an in-depth analysis of selected cultures from both the western and non-western countries. Five fundamental themes of location, place, interrelationships, movement, and regions provide the structure for the world geography course. The concepts of historical interpretation, cause and effect, time perspective, geographical perspective, and human experience structure the world history course. (SM)