The 1988 Civics Objectives Assessment is the fourth such assessment since the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) program was initiated in 1969. It outlines the objectives and framework for assessing U.S. civics programs at grades 4, 8, and 12. This outline includes provision for assessment in terms of content, context and cognition. Outlines of the content include: (1) rights, responsibilities and the law; (2) political processes; (3) political institutions (structure and function); and (4) democratic principles and the purpose of governments. The context, or level, for assessing these principles, are the home, school, community, state, nation, and world; content is to be assessed at increasing levels of context at increasing grade levels. Cognitive objectives are knowledge of the content, and understanding and application of the content of citizenship and participation in political processes. The booklet also elaborates on the areas of content that are included in the assessment, and lists the members of the NAEP civics advisory committees and the development consultants and reviewers who participated in the development of the Civics Objectives for 1988. (JGL)