In reviewing the situation in social studies education in general and the place of social studies in the curriculum, this paper focuses on the concept of the evolving individual, a person characterized in social studies curriculum by encountering, decision-making, and taking action. Chapter I, a position statement, discusses the nature and goals of the social studies as distinguished from the social sciences and outlines the parameters of a social studies program in line with the position taken. The current status of citizenship education and implications for changes in citizenship education are considered in Chapter II in relation to curriculum development. Chapter III presents an example of the curriculum for the evolving individual, and discusses definitions of curriculum and its components. A curriculum model for action is developed in diagrammatic fashion, the learning encounter envisioned with components adjustable to individual needs. Issues in evaluating the model are discussed in Chapter IV; implications for continuing teacher education in Chapter V; and reflections on the challenge of pursuing an education for evolving individual conclude Chapter VI. (KSM)