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References

Site-wide references used to ground this textbook's content in official standards, curricula, and research. Chapter-level citations (added by the reference-generator skill) live in each chapter's own references.md and should link back here when they cite the same source.

State & National Standards

Title Organization Notes Link
Health Education Standards (K-12) — landing page Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) Governs K-12 health education requirements in Minnesota. Confirmed requirements include cannabis/substance-use prevention education and mental health instruction, both required starting the 2026-2027 school year. Contact: Brian Rhoads, mde.academic-standards@state.mn.us. https://education.mn.gov/MDE/dse/stds/hpe/
2025 Minnesota K-12 Health Academic Standards — Commissioner Approved (12/15/25) Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) This is the source used to design this course's age/grade tiers. The proposed standards document, approved by the Commissioner in December 2025 and reviewed at an administrative rulemaking hearing (April 13-14, 2026; public comment closed 2026-05-04). Per the MDE site, locally developed standards remain in effect until formal statewide adoption completes — this document is not yet the legally operative standard, but represents the finalized proposed content. Structure verified: 8 anchor standards (1 knowledge standard + 7 skill standards — analyzing influences, accessing information, communication, decision-making, goal setting, healthy practices, promoting wellbeing), organized into 6 strands (Food & Nutrition K-12; Human Growth & Development K-5 / + Sexual Health 6-12; Mental and Emotional Health K-12; Personal Health and Wellness K-12; Personal Safety and Violence Prevention K-12; Substance Use Awareness and Prevention 6-12). Benchmarks are tabulated individually for grades K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, then as grade bands 6-8 and 9-12, with each benchmark coded (e.g. 0.1.1.1 for kindergarten, 9.1.1.1 for grades 9-12). PDF
Statement of Need and Reasonableness (SONAR) (12/15/25) Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) Rulemaking justification document accompanying the Commissioner-approved standards above. PDF
Health Standards Review and Revision (drafts & hearing documents) Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) Hosts the full document trail: first draft (3/19/25), second draft (6/20/25), Commissioner-approved final (12/15/25), committee list, and the notice of the April 2026 rulemaking hearing. https://education.mn.gov/MDE/dse/stds/hpe/healthstand/