Social studies standards required to include the dangers and perils of communism and socialism.

A bill for an act

relating to education; modifying social studies standards to include the dangers

and perils of communism and socialism; amending Minnesota Statutes 2024,

section 120B.021, subdivision 1.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 120B.021, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Required academic standards.

(a) The following subject areas are

required for statewide accountability:

(1) language arts;

(2) mathematics, encompassing algebra II, integrated mathematics III, or an equivalent

in high school, and to be prepared for the three credits of mathematics in grades 9 through

12, the grade 8 standards include completion of algebra;

(3) science, including earth and space science, life science, and the physical sciences,

including chemistry and physics;

(4) social studies, including history, geography, economics, and government and

citizenship that includes civics;

(5) physical education;

(6) health; and

(7) the arts. Public elementary and middle schools must offer at least three and require

at least two of the following five arts areas: dance; media arts; music; theater; and visual

arts. Public high schools must offer at least three and require at least one of the following

five arts areas: media arts; dance; music; theater; and visual arts.

(b) For purposes of applicable federal law, the academic standards for language arts,

mathematics, and science apply to all public school students, except the very few students

with extreme cognitive or physical impairments for whom an individualized education

program team has determined that the required academic standards are inappropriate. An

individualized education program team that makes this determination must establish

alternative standards.

(c) A school district may include child sexual abuse prevention instruction in a health

curriculum, consistent with paragraph (a), clause (6). Child sexual abuse prevention

instruction may include age-appropriate instruction on recognizing sexual abuse and assault,

boundary violations, and ways offenders groom or desensitize victims, as well as strategies

to promote disclosure, reduce self-blame, and mobilize bystanders. A school district may

provide instruction under this paragraph in a variety of ways, including at an annual assembly

or classroom presentation. A school district may also provide parents information on the

warning signs of child sexual abuse and available resources.

(d) District efforts to develop, implement, or improve instruction or curriculum as a

result of the provisions of this section must be consistent with sections
120B.10
,
120B.11
,

and
120B.20
.

(e) Locally developed academic standards in health apply until statewide rules

implementing statewide health standards under subdivision 3 are required to be implemented

in the classroom.

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(f) The commissioner must include the dangers and perils of communism and socialism,

including estimated lives lost under communism and socialism, and negative outcomes

associated with communism and socialism, in social studies standards during the 2030-2031

review and revision of the standards.

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EFFECTIVE DATE.

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This section is effective July 1, 2026.

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