SF 4826

Introduction - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026)

Posted on 03/26/2026 09:22 a.m.

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.

new text begin (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.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2026.
new text end