Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 38, September 20, 2024
By October 1, 2024, all candidates for an endorsement in
Social Science-Political Science will be required to complete a program aligned
to the NCSS National Standards for the Preparation of Social Studies Teachers
(2017), published by the National Council for the Social Studies, 8555
Sixteenth Street, Silver Spring MD 20910, and available at
https://www.socialstudies.org/standards/teacherstandards.
(No later amendments to or editions of these guidelines are incorporated.) The
standards effective until September 30, 2024 are as follows:
a) In addition to the standards for all
social science teachers that are set forth in Section
27.200,
those who specialize in the teaching of political science shall be required to
meet the standards described in this Section.
b) The competent political science teacher
understands the scope and major issues in the academic discipline of political
science.
1) Knowledge Indicators - The
competent political science teacher:
A)
understands the major subjects of study in political science (e.g.,
constitutional law, political history, political philosophy, and political
sociology).
B) understands the
ideas and impact of major figures in the history of political philosophy (e.g.,
Aristotle, Locke, Madison, Marx, Mill).
2) Performance Indicators - The competent
political science teacher:
A) explains the
multiple perspectives associated with political philosophy.
B) demonstrates political science skills
(e.g., opinion measurement, issue analysis, and constitutional
interpretation).
c) The competent political science teacher
understands the essential elements of various political systems.
1) Knowledge Indicators - The competent
political science teacher:
A) understands the
development of democratic, authoritarian, and totalitarian systems, with an
emphasis on the 20th century.
B)
understands the similarities and differences between the United States
political system and those of other nations.
2) Performance Indicators - The competent
political science teacher:
A) explains the
nature and purpose of constitutions in various democratic, authoritarian, and
totalitarian political systems.
B)
evaluates the arguments regarding the strengths and weaknesses of federal,
confederate, and unitary systems.
d) The competent political science teacher
understands the development of the United States and Illinois Constitutions.
1) Knowledge Indicators - The competent
political science teacher:
A) understands
amendments and other developments since the ratification of the United States
Constitution and Bill of Rights affecting basic principles (e.g., separation of
power, judicial review, federalism, selection of officials, and the rights of
persons).
B) understands amendments
and other developments since the ratification of the Illinois
Constitution.
2)
Performance Indicators - The competent political science teacher:
A) explains the historic background,
political principles, major events, basic issues, and significant individuals
associated with the writing and ratification of the United States
Constitution.
B) explains the
changes made in the Illinois Constitution in 1970.
e) The competent political science
teacher understands the organization and functions of government at the
national, State, and local levels.
1)
Knowledge Indicators - The competent political science teacher:
A) understands the organization and financing
of governmental functions at local, State, and national levels.
B) understands the sharing of governmental
functions between the various levels of government by means of
intergovernmental relations.
C)
understands the organization and function of courts at all levels.
2) Performance Indicators - The
competent political science teacher:
A)
analyzes the role of government in the society and the economy.
B) identifies important events that changed
significantly the regulatory, welfare, and other functions of
government.
C) analyzes the impact
of court rulings on local, State, and national governments.
f) The competent
political science teacher understands the elements that shape public policy in
the United States and other nations.
1)
Knowledge Indicators - The competent political science teacher:
A) understands governmental agencies' role in
implementing and developing public policy.
B) understands the multiple roles of the
president of the United States and State governors and the role of heads of
government in other countries in setting policy.
C) understands the policy-setting role of
legislatures and their committees in the United States in contrast to other
countries.
D) understands the
policy role of courts in the United States in contrast with the role of courts
in other countries.
E) understands
the influence of active citizens, interest groups, and political partisans on
formation of public policy.
F)
understands the influence of public opinion and the mass media in the
development of public policy.
2) Performance Indicators - The competent
political science teacher:
A) analyzes the
influence of individuals and groups on the formation and implementation of
public policy.
B) evaluates the
shaping of public policy in terms of basic principles (e.g., representation,
democracy, and public interest).
g) The competent political science teacher
understands political parties, civic participation, and the electoral process
in the United States.
1) Knowledge Indicators
- The competent political science teacher:
A)
understands the history of political parties.
B) understands the laws affecting
registration and voting, organization of political parties, and campaign
finance.
C) understands the
opportunities for participation in government and politics (e.g., political
parties, campaigns, and involvement in groups concerned with public
policy).
2) Performance
Indicators - The competent political science teacher:
A) evaluates motivations for participation
and non-participation in civic affairs.
B) identifies important events, groups, and
individuals in the evolution of American political parties.
h) The competent
political science teacher understands the rule of law and the rights and
responsibilities of citizens.
1) Knowledge
Indicators - The competent political science teacher:
A) understands the degree to which citizens'
rights have been expanded over time by constitutional means.
B) understands the categories of the law
(e.g., common, civil, and criminal).
C) understands landmark documents and events
in the development of the rule of law.
2) Performance Indicators - The competent
political science teacher:
A) identifies ways
a competent, responsible citizen functions in a democratic society.
B) analyzes historic and current issues
regarding the balance between rights and responsibilities, and between personal
freedom and community needs and laws.
i) The competent political science teacher
understands international relations and organizations and America's global
connections.
1) Knowledge Indicators - The
competent political science teacher:
A)
understands international organizations and American involvement with
them.
B) understands the influence
of national political systems and domestic politics on foreign policy with an
emphasis on the United States.
2) Performance Indicators - The competent
political science teacher:
A) analyzes the
conditions, actions, and motivations that contribute to conflict and
cooperation among nations.
B)
identifies major events in the emergence of the United States as a world
leader.
