This statewide revised Standard Course of Study, mandated by North Carolina's Elementary and Secondary School Reform Act of 1984, provides a detailed, integrated curriculum plan for all subjects at all grade levels. An initial section provides an introduction ("Notes") to the users of the "North Carolina Competency-Based Curriculum," a separate document produced in loose-leaf form. (These publications are related to "Basic Education Program for North Carolina's Public Schools," published in October 1984.) The Standard Course of Study explains the philosophy and rationale underlying this curriculum, explains and outlines the theoretical taxonomy of thinking skills used in designing the plan, describes provisions for exceptional children, and provides guidelines for using the curriculum. The bulk of the document describes in detail the curriculum in the following subject areas: (1) performing and visual arts; (2) communication skills; (3) guidance; (4) healthful living, subdivided into health, physical education, and safety education; (5) library and media skills; (6) mathematics; (7) science; (8) second language studies; (9) social studies; and (10) vocational education, subdivided into prevocational education and seven subject areas. The general format of description is as follows: several paragraphs survey the purposes and components of the subject; the overall course of study is described graphically and verbally; general learning outcomes are outlined; and competency goals and objectives are outlined grade by grade. Appendixes present the curriculum's statutory basis as well as related policies and miscellaneous program information. (MCG)