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of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

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    State Board of Education

    State Academic Standards

    The Pennsylvania State Board of Education has adopted academic standards in the content areas listed below.  The academic standards are benchmark measures that define what students should know and be able to do at various grade levels. The standards are promulgated as state regulations. As such, they must be used as the basis for curriculum and instruction in Pennsylvania's public schools. State requirements for curriculum, instruction and assessment can be found in the Board's Chapter 4 regulations, available online at: Chapter 4

    Below you will find links to the State Board of Education approved state academic standards. These standards also are available online on the Pennsylvania Code Web Site.

    Academic Standards Approved by the State Board of Education

    Arts and Humanities (PDF)
    Academic Standards for Arts and Humanities took effect upon their publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin on January 11, 2003

    Career Education and Work (PDF)
    These Academic Standards for Career Education and Work took effect upon their publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin on July 8, 2006 and will be sunset on June 30, 2026.

    Career Education and Work (Appendix E-1) (PDF)
    The Academic Standards for Career Education and Work in Appendix E-1 were published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin on February 8, 2025, and take effect on July 1, 2026

    Civics and Government (PDF)
    Academic Standards for Civics and Government took effect upon their publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin on January 11, 2003

    Economics (PDF)
    These Academic Standards for Economics took effect upon their publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin on January 11, 2003 and will be sunset on June 30, 2026.

    Economics (Appendix C-1) (PDF)
    The Academic Standards for Economics in Appendix C-1 were published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin on February 8, 2025, and take effect on July 1, 2026

    Pennsylvania Core Standards - English Language Arts (PDF)
    Pennsylvania Core Standards for English Language Arts took effect upon their publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin on March 1, 2014

    Family and Consumer Sciences (PDF)
    These Academic Standards for Family and Consumer Sciences took effect upon their publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin on January 11, 2003 and will be sunset on June 30, 2026. 

    Family and Consumer Sciences (Appendix D-1) (PDF)
    The Academic Standards for Family and Consumer Sciences in Appendix D-1 were published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin on February 8, 2025, and take effect on July 1, 2026

    Geography (PDF)
    Academic Standards for Geography took effect upon their publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin on January 11, 2003

    Health, Safety and Physical Education (PDF)
    Academic Standards for Health, Safety and Physical Education took effect upon their publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin on January 11, 2003

    History (PDF)
    Academic Standards for History took effect upon their publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin on January 11, 2003

    Personal Finance (PDF)
    The Academic Standards for Personal Finance were published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin on February 8, 2025, and take effect on July 1, 2026

    Pennsylvania Core Standards for Reading in History and Social Studies & Pennsylvania Core Standards for Writing in History and Social Studies (PDF)
    Pennsylvania Core Standards for Reading and Writing in History and Social Studies, a supplement to the academic standards for History, took effect upon their publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin on March 1, 2014

    Pennsylvania Core Standards - Mathematics (PDF)
    Pennsylvania Core Standards for Mathematics took effect upon their publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin on March 1, 2014

    Pennsylvania Integrated Standards for Science, Environment, Ecology, Technology, and Engineering (Grades K-5) (PDF)
    The Pennsylvania Integrated Standards for Science, Environment, Ecology, Technology, and Engineering (Grades K-5) were published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin on July 16, 2022, and take effect on July 1, 2025

    Pennsylvania Integrated Standards for Science, Environment, and Ecology (Grades 6-12) (PDF)
    These Pennsylvania Integrated Standards for Science, Environment, and Ecology (Grades 6-12) were published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin on July 16, 2022, and take effect on July 1, 2025

    Pennsylvania Technology and Engineering Standards (Grades 6-12) (PDF)
    These Pennsylvania Technology and Engineering Standards (Grades 6-12) were published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin on July 16, 2022, and take effect on July 1, 2025

    Pennsylvania Core Standards for Reading in Science and Technology & Pennsylvania Core Standards for Writing in Science and Technology (PDF)
    Pennsylvania Core Standards for Reading and Writing in Science and Technology, a supplement to the academic standards for Science and Technology, took effect upon their publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin on March 1, 2014.