State and local governments play a vital role in the lives of students today, perhaps even more so than the federal government. From drivers’ licenses to snow days, the power and influence of state and local government institutions are felt by students on a daily basis. Unfortunately, the current study of government in high school tends to focus heavily on federal institutions, powers, and individuals, often times ignoring the importance of state and local governments and the impact these have on students’ lives. Thus, a close examination of government and politics in the United States today would be incomplete without an understanding of the ever-increasing role, powers, and influence of state and local governments.

Benchmarks & Indicators:

NOTE: Red Bolded content in the indicators is considered essential and must be taught in all classrooms. Content which is not bolded goes beyond the scope and sequence of the state standards.

Virginia Government

Benchmark 5.1: Students will explain the organization of Virginia’s government.

5.1 Indicators:

Students reach this benchmark when they are able to:

1. Identify Virginia’s legislative branch as the General Assembly composed of a lower house (the House of Delegates) with 100 members elected from proportional districts for two year terms and an upper house (the Senate) with 40 members elected from proportional districts for four year terms.
   
   1. Describe the qualifications for office, the sessions of the General Assembly, and the organization of both houses of the legislature.
      
   2. Describe the legislative process through which a bill becomes a law.
      
2. Identify Virginia’s executive branch as three elected officers--the governor, the lieutenant governor, the attorney general--plus cabinet departments, and other bureaucratic agencies.
   
   1. Describe the term of office, the qualifications for office, and the agencies and departments under each officer’s direction.
      
   2. Describe the various cabinet departments and independent agencies of the executive branch.
      
3. Identify Virginia’s judicial branch as consisting of the Supreme Court of Virginia, Court of Appeals, circuit courts, general district courts, and juvenile and domestic relations courts.
   
   1. Describe the selection process and terms for judges of Virginia’s courts.
      
   2. Identify the jurisdiction of each court.
      
   3. Describe the role juries play in the administration of justice.
      

Benchmark 5.2: Students will identify the powers of the state government.

5.2 Indicators:

Students reach this benchmark when they are able to:

Benchmark 5.3: Students will describe how state government shapes public policy.

5.3 Indicators:

Students reach this benchmark when they are able to:

Benchmark 5.4: Students will evaluate, take and defend in writing, discussion and debate a position on how citizens can exert influence on state government.

5.4 Indicators:

Students reach this benchmark when they are able to:

1. Explain the ways individuals and groups can have an impact on state government.
   
2. Analyze the effectiveness of efforts to influence state government decision making by examining historical and contemporary events.

Fairfax County Government

Benchmark 5.5: Students will identify the powers and characteristics of local government in Virginia.

5.5 Indicators:

Students reach this benchmark when they are able to:

1. Describe the structure of local government in Virginia: county, city, town, and regional.
2. Identify the responsibilities of county and city governments:
   1. to enact and enforce local ordinances;
      
   2. to provide for the health, safety, welfare, comfort, and convenience of its inhabitants (the police power) and to provide for commerce and industry in the jurisdiction;
      
   3. to levy taxes permitted to local governments and to appropriate local funds for local purposes;
      
   4. to borrow money and to pledge the credit of the jurisdiction within prescribed limits or according to prescribed procedures;
      
   5. to take private property for public use, subject to statutory requirements and with just compensation (eminent domain); and
      
   6. to sue and be sued.

Benchmark 5.6: Students will explain the organization of Fairfax County government.

5.6 Indicators:

Students reach this benchmark when they are able to:

Benchmark 5.7: Students will explain how county government shapes public policy.

5.7 Indicators:

Students reach this benchmark when they are able to:

1. Explain how current members of the Board of Supervisors use their office to influence the policymaking process.
2. Explain how the Board of Supervisors responds to the public and makes policy.
   1. Describe how the board makes policy and passes ordinances.
   2. Evaluate the effects of Dillon’s Rule in the policy-making process.
   3. Explain how the Fairfax County School Board makes educational policy.

Benchmark 5.8: Students will evaluate, take, and defend in writing, discussion and debate a position on how citizens can exert influence on county government.

5.8 Indicators:

Students reach this benchmark when they are able to:

1. Explain the ways individuals and groups can have an impact on county government, e.g., direct participation in public meetings, personal contact with officials, letter writing, volunteering to serve on boards and commissions, lobbying, demonstrations, participation in elections, etc.
2. Analyze the effectiveness of efforts to influence county government by examining the ways citizens can shape politics and policy at the grass roots level.
   

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