Academic StandardsAcademic Excellence :

Academic Standards

To find the K-12 Minnesota Academic Standards for language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, and the arts, choose a subject from the links at right. Health and physical education, vocational and technical education, and world languages each require districts to develop local standards.  (Note: Reading standards are included in the Language Arts standards document.)

Registration is Open for the 2009-10 Real World Design Challenge

Minnesota teachers have the opportunity to provide their students with an integrated educational experience offering real problems, real tools, real roles, and real contributions through a competition designed to increase student interest in science, technology, engineering,and math (STEM). Register your team and download the coach’s handbook. Print a copy of the flyer.

New K-12 Science Standards!

The Science Standards Revision Committee has completed the final draft of the revised K-12 science standards. A committee of 30 K-12 educators, higher education faculty and business and community representatives spent about a year drafting the 2009 revised science standards and benchmarks. The standards are now in the rulemaking process.  Visit the science page to view the standards and a frequently asked questions document.

Language Arts Standards--Revision Timeline to be determined

The Language Arts Academic Standards are scheduled for review in 2009-10. The timeline and revision process is being determined and will be posted on the Website and included in the weekly Minnesota Department of Education superintendent mailing. Information related to the revision committee will be posted as it becomes available.

Graduation Requirements

An easy-to-read chart that includes state standards, state testing, and graduation requirements for Minnesota students is available on the Graduation Requirements page. There is also a comparison of state requirements and postsecondary recommendations.

Related Standards Information

Standards information for related subjects can be found by using the Related Links on this page. These include the Standards for Career and Technical Education as well as the Information and Technology Literacy Standards, which provide a guideline for school districts that wish to ensure students are achieving 21st Century information skills in conjunction with the current Minnesota Academic Standards. 

*Links to third-party sites are provided as a service to Minnesota Department of Education Website visitors. See our disclaimer regarding these sites in our copyright information linked at the bottom of this page. Links will open in a new browser window.