This guide, in English- and Spanish-language versions, shares with parents information about the South Carolina Curriculum Standards. The standards outline state requirements for children's learning and what students across the state should be able to do in certain subjects. The guide lists seven key reasons parents should be aware of the new curriculum standards, and then presents a condensed version of the standards for third grade in mathematics (number and operations, algebra, geometry, measurement, and data analysis and probability); English/Language Arts (reading, communication, writing, research); Science (inquiry and process skills, life science, earth science, physical science); and Social Studies (history: time, continuity, and change; government/political science: power, authority, and governance; geography: people, places, and environments; economics: production, distribution, and consumption). Listed after the standards for each subject area are sample assessment questions for parents to complete with their children, selected book titles for additional reading, and Web site addresses for extended learning. (HTH)