The standards for seventh-grade students cover the role of the citizen in the American political and economic systems. The focus is on gaining essential knowledge of the U.S. and Virginia Constitutions and the structure and functions of government institutions at the national, state, and local levels.
Students also learn the basic principles, structure, and operation of the American economy.
These standards are intended to foster patriotism, respect for the law, a sense of civic duty, and informed economic decision making. Social science skill development extends into quantitative data organization and interpretation.