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Social Studies

Social Studies 2024-11-03T18:58:03-07:00

The New Mexico Social Studies Standards were redeveloped through a transparent process using research on current evidence-based practices and sound data to create a culturally responsive set of standards that focus on the knowledge and skills critical to ensure ALL students in NM are college, career, and civic ready. The work started in 2021 with a visionary committee who created guiding principles. Stakeholders including educators, business and community leaders, higher education representatives, and parents continued to be involved throughout the adoption process.

The writing began when a team of educators from across the state applied in response to a call from PED. They were selected to convene and analyze the old standards, receive training in standards writing, and examine standards from across the country. The standards were written and developed through the New Mexico Administrative Code process that included public comment. A subset of this working group later convened to revise the proposed standards after considering responses from public hearing and comments. The final rule was submitted in 2022.

Social Studies Standards

Instructional Scope

Social Studies Standards Professional Learning Opportunities 2024-2025



Social Studies/Arts Integration Registration


Financial Literacy Registration


Strands and Anchors at a Glance

Civics Economics/Personal Financial Literacy Geography History Ethnic, Cultural, and Identity Studies Inquiry
Anchor Standard 1

Civic And Political Institutions

Anchor Standard 5

Economic Decisions Making

Anchor Standard 11

Geogrpahic Representations and Reasoning

Anchor Standard 15

Historical Change, Continuity, Context, and Reconciliation

Anchor Standard 20

Diversity and Identity

Anchor Standard 23

Construct Compelling and Supporting Questions

Anchor Standard 2

Processes, Rules, and Laws

Anchor Standard 6

Incentives and Choices

Anchor Standard 12

Location, Pleace, and Region

Anchor Standard 16

Cause and Consequence

Anchor Standard 21

Identity in History

Anchor Standard 24

Gather and Evaluate Sources

Anchor Standard 3

Civic Dispositions and Democratic Principles

Anchor Standard 7

Economic Systems and Models

Anchor Standard 13

Movement, Population, and Systems

Anchor Standard 17

Historical Thinking

Anchor Standard 22

Community Equity Building

Anchor Standard 25

Develop Claims

Anchor Standard 8

Money and Markets

Anchor Standard 14

Human-Environmental Interactions and Sustainability

Anchor Standard 18

Critical Consciousness and Perspectives

Anchor Standard 26

Communicate and Critique Conclusions

Anchor Standard 9

Global Economy

Anchor Standard 19

Power Dynamics, Leadership, and Agency

Anchor Standard 27

Take Informed Action

Anchor Standard 4

Roles and Responsibilities of a Civic Life

Anchor Standard 10

Personal Financial Literacy

From the Guiding Principles, the Following Major Shifts Emerged:

  • Moving away from a singular dominant narrative
  • Crafting questions that spark and sustain inquiry
  • Integrating skills and content purposefully
  • Providing opportunities for communicating conclusions through productive student discourse and taking informed action
  • Empowering students to develop agency and pride in their identities

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Additional Resources

Social Studies Instructional Material Guidance

New Mexico Social Studies Standards Implementation Plan

Social Studies Standards FAQ

New Mexico Social Studies Standards Glossary

Instructional Shifts Guiding Questions

Criteria for High Quality Standards

Resources for Standards Writing

Setting the Standards Infographic

Social Studies Standards – A National Landscape Scan

New Mexico Social Studies Standards Crosswalk

Read Public Comments

Administrative Rule Hearing: November 12, 2021

Parent and Family Guides for Social Studies

Final Rule for Social Studies Standards

Guiding Principles for the Process – Social Studies Standards Re-development

Re-development & Implementation Calendar

Page last updated November 3, 2024