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History of the National Geography Standards

The National Geography Standards (Geography for Life) are part of the AMERICA 2000 - THE NATIONAL EDUCATION GOALS. These goals went through three phases of development:
  1. First Articulated at the Charlottesville Summit, 1989
  2. Six Goals Established by the President and the Nation's Governors, 1990
  3. Goals 2000 Act Passed into Law, 1993

The National Geography Standards are based on the third of these six goals.

Goal Three

American students will leave grades 4, 8, and 12 having demonstrated competency in challenging subject matter including English, mathematics, sciences, forgeign languages, arts, history, and geography; and every school in America will ensure that all students learn to use their minds well, so they may be prepared for reponsible citizenship, further learning, and productive employment in our modern economy.