Indiana Social Studies S.9.3

Social StudiesGrades 9–12Social Problems

The Standard

Discuss the implications of social problems for society.

2026 Indiana Academic Standards: K-12 Social Studies

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students explain how a social problem affects families, schools, workplaces, and public services. They trace what might happen next and support their claims with facts or examples.
What Mastery Looks Like: Given a rent chart, a student can explain how higher housing costs might affect families, schools, and employers. They use a number from the chart and explain why the effects might differ across groups.
Common Misconceptions: Students may list causes of a problem when asked about its effects. They may assume only people directly affected face costs, or that every group feels the same impact.
How to Assess It: Exit ticket: A town's average rent rises 20%. Name one likely effect on renters and one on a school or local business, then explain the link.

Lesson moves

Give groups a rent increase card, a family budget, and a blank flowchart; have them draw two paths from higher rent to community effects.
Ask: How could rising rents change a school's enrollment? Write two linked effects and point to one fact from a rent chart.
Play an effects card sort: students match rising rent with possible effects on families, schools, and employers, then defend one match.
Pull a local rental listing and an hourly wage job posting; students estimate rent's share of monthly pay and predict one effect on local businesses.

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A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to S.9.3, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.

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