The Arizona Social Studies Framework formulates goals for student competency in four broad categories: knowledge and cultural understanding; understanding of democratic principles; individual and group participation in social political affairs; and fundamental skill attainment for effective citizenship. Under each social studies goal are listed the basic learnings that comprise the K-12 social studies program. These curriculum strands are constant in every grade level; no options are to be dropped or added from one year to the next. The strands under Goal 1 (knowledge and cultural understanding), for example, are: historical literacy, geographic literacy, economic literacy, social-political literacy, cultural literacy, and ethical literacy. For each of 4 grade levels (K-3, 4-6, 7-8, 9-12) there is a 4-column presentation of essential skills under the following headings: goals and strands; essential/exit skills; content and descriptors; and instructional strategies/related concepts. The essential skills column is identified as the critical component of this document. An appendix outlining criteria for evaluating instructional materials is included. (DB)