Curriculum Standards · North Dakota
North Dakota Health Education Standards — Curriculum Alignment
Aligned with all the North Dakota Health Education Content Standards (Grades 9-12)
North Dakota Health Education Content Standards (Grades 9-12): https://www.nd.gov/dpi/health-education
North Dakota Health Education Content Standards (K-12)::
Standard 1: Understand concepts related to human growth and development, health promotion, disease prevention.
Standard 2: Analyze the influence of family, peers, culture, media, technology, and other factors on health behaviors.
Standard 3: Demonstrate the ability to access valid health information, products, and services.
Standard 4: Demonstrate the ability to use interpersonal communication skills to enhance health and avoid or reduce health
risks.
Standard 5: Demonstrate the ability to use decision-making skills to enhance health and avoid or reduce health risks.
Standard 6: Demonstrate the ability to use goal-setting skills to enhance health and avoid or reduce health risks.
Standard 7: Demonstrate the ability to practice health-enhancing behaviors and avoid or reduce health risks.
Standard 8: Demonstrate the ability to advocate for personal, family, and community health.
e North Dakota Health Education Content Standards (North Dakota Department of Public Instruction) were adopted in August 2018
and revised in May 2024 pursuant to NDCC 15.1-21-28; they are confirmed as the state's current adopted health education standards. A
K-12 health education standards revision is in dra, with adoption expected in summer 2026, but it has not been adopted. Alignment
below covers all 49 Grades 9-12 benchmarks.
Standard 1: Understand concepts related to human growth and development, health promotion, and disease prevention.
| Topic | North Dakota Standard | Where HET Covers It (Unit: Day) |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Health Behaviors & Health Status | 1.12.1: Predict how health behaviors can affect health status. | Begin a Term: Day 1 (Personal Timeline/Future Letter). Dangerous Decisions: Day 1 (Risky choice impact), Day 2 (Substance impact). Nutrition: Day 7-8 (Blood sugar/Heart health). Diseases: Day 5 (Lifestyle/Chronic prevention). Tobacco: Day 1 (Prefrontal cortex effects). Sex Education: Day 7-8 (STI transmission). End a Term: Day 1 (Scenario 24-25). |
| 2. Dimensions of Health | 1.12.2: Analyze the interrelationships of mental, emotional, physical, and social health. | Begin a Term: Day 1 (Core Scholar). Mental Health: Day 1-2 (5 Dimensions). Stress: Day 3-4 (Foggy brain/Headaches). Nutrition: Day 7-8 (Academic pressure). Body Systems: Day 1 (Gut-brain disruption). End a Term: Day 2 (Living System). |
| 3. Environment & Personal Health | 1.12.3: Analyze how the environment and personal health are interrelated. | Begin a Term: Day 2 (Social Determinants). Stress: Day 9-10 (Poverty/Discrimination). Diversity: Day 2 (Social Determinants/Barriers). Nutrition: Day 3-4 (Food Deserts). Diseases: Day 5 (ZIP code). Environmental Health: Day 1 (Workplace Hazard reports). End a Term: Day 1 (SDOH Scenario 6). |
| 4. Genetics & Family History | 1.12.4: Analyze how genetics and family history can impact personal health. | Mental Health: Day 1-2 (Biopsychosocial). Diseases: Day 5 (Family History). Alcohol: Day 4 (Family addiction roles). End a Term: Day 2 (Generational cycles). |
| 5. Injury & Illness Prevention Strategies | 1.12.5: Formulate strategies to reduce or prevent injuries and health problems. | Mental Health: Day 3-4 (Mental Health Toolbox). Stress: Day 1-2 (Reduction strategy). Dangerous Decisions: Day 1 (Risk Management Plan), Day 3 (Distracted driving CDC data). End a Term: Day 1 (Scene Safety Scenario). |
| 6. Access to Health Care | 1.12.6: Analyze the relationship between access to health care and health status. | Mental Health: Day 5-6 (Minor access laws). Stress: Day 3-4 (Systemic barriers). Diseases: Day 4 (Social conditions). Alcohol: Day 2 (Minor in Possession/Treatment access). Drugs: Day 4 (Systemic inequities/Stigma). Sex Education: Day 9-10 (Confidentiality/Minor access laws). |
| 7. Benefits & Barriers | 1.12.7: Analyze the benefits of and barriers to practicing a variety of health-enhancing behaviors. | Self-Esteem: Day 5 (Small steps). Mental Health: Day 3-4 (Adaptive coping). Stress: Day 9-10 (Habit building). Nutrition: Day 5-6 (Identifying barriers), Day 7-8 (Packing snacks). |
| 8. Susceptibility & Severity | 1.12.8: Examine personal susceptibility to and severity of injury, illness, or death if engaging in unhealthy behaviors. | Stress: Day 1-2 (Vulnerability Survey). Dangerous Decisions: Day 1 (Risky Choices), Day 2 (Tolerance/Dependence), Day 3 (Pre-decision challenge). Diseases: Day 4 (Risk assessment). End a Term: Day 1 (MC 1-3). |
| 9. Reproductive System | 1.12.9: Explain the functions of the reproductive system. | Body Systems: Day 3 (Sperm/Egg production). Sex Education: Day 5-6 (Structures/Functions), Day 7-8 (Fertilization). |
| 10. Prenatal & Postnatal Health | 1.12.10: Describe prenatal and postnatal practices that can contribute to or threaten a healthy pregnancy for parent and child. | Body Systems: Day 3 (Reproductive wellness plan). Sex Education: Day 7-8 (Fertilization), Day 7-8 (Parenting/Financial effects) , Day 7-8 (Postpartum health). |
| 11. Abstinence & Contraception | 1.12.11: Compare and contrast the advantages and disadvantages of abstinence and other contraceptive methods, including condoms. | Sex Education: Day 7-8 (Contraceptive effectiveness/PrEP), Day 7-8 (Condom Demo/Steps), Day 9-10 (Abstinence proactive choice). |
| 12. Gender & Individual Differences | 1.12.12: Acknowledge differences among individuals regarding gender. | Begin a Term: Day 1 (Intersectionality). Diversity: Day 1 (Identity), Day 3 (LGBTQ+ Affirmation). Body Systems: Day 3 (Gender identity norms). |
| 13. Healthy & Unhealthy Relationships | 1.12.13: Analyze characteristics of healthy and unhealthy relationships with family, peers, and other adults. | Mental Health: Day 7-8 (Jealousy/Control). Conflict: Day 2 (Power imbalances). Violence: Day 5 (Protective Factors). Sex Education: Day 1-2 (Boundaries), Day 3-4 (Gaslighting vs respect). |
Standard 2: Analyze the influence of family, peers, culture, media, technology, and other factors on health behaviors.
| Topic | North Dakota Standard | Where HET Covers It (Unit: Day) |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Family Influences | 2.12.1: Analyze how family influences the health of individuals. | Self-Esteem: Day 1 (Media/Family), Day 2 (Early Experiences). Stress: Day 7-8 (Parent-Teen Communicator). Alcohol: Day 4 (Family addiction roles). End a Term: Day 2 (Generational cycles). |
| 2. Culture, Values & Beliefs | 2.12.2: Analyze how culture, personal values, and beliefs support and challenge health behaviors. | Begin a Term: Day 1 (Belief formation). Empathy: Day 2 (Culture/Technology). Diversity: Day 2 (Cultural humility). Nutrition: Day 3-4 (Cultural honoring). Sex Education: Day 9-10 (Values check). |
| 3. Peer Influences | 2.12.3: Analyze how peers influence health behaviors. | Self-Esteem: Day 2 (Peer Influence). Dangerous Decisions: Day 1 (Peer Pressure), Day 3 (Groupthink). Violence: Day 5 (Bystander culture/Gender roles). |
| 4. School & Community | 2.12.4: Evaluate how the school and community can affect personal health behaviors. | Begin a Term: Day 2 (School counselors/nurses). Mental Health: Day 9-10 (School climate). Stress: Day 1-2 (Wellness centers). Nutrition: Day 9-10 (School Lunch Advocacy). |
| 5. Media & Technology | 2.12.5: Evaluate the impact of media and technology on personal, family, and community health. | Empathy: Day 1 (Technology desensitization). Self-Esteem: Day 4 (Instagram/TikTok). Mental Health: Day 7-8 (Digital validation). Violence: Day 4 (Technology influences). Nutrition: Day 5-6 (Influencer claims). Tobacco: Day 1 (Vape ad decoding). |
| 6. Perceptions of Norms | 2.12.6: Analyze how the perceptions of norms influence health behaviors. | Mental Health: Day 7-8 (Online validation influence). Dangerous Decisions: Day 3 (PSA - challenging "cool" risk). Tobacco: Day 1 (Vape ad decoding). Sex Education: Day 9-10 (45% of teens statistic). |
| 7. Interrelated Risk Behaviors | 2.12.7: Examine how some health risk behaviors can influence the likelihood of engaging in other unhealthy behaviors. | Mental Health: Day 5-6 (Numbing pain). Stress: Day 1-2 (Escape/Numb out), Day 7-8 (Grief avoidance). Dangerous Decisions: Day 2 (Tolerance/Dependence). Drugs: Day 2 (Tolerance). |
| 8. Public Health Policies & Regulations | 2.12.8: Analyze how public health policies and government regulations can influence health promotion and disease prevention. | Dangerous Decisions: Day 2 (Good Samaritan laws). Nutrition: Day 9-10 (School food rules/Federal law analysis). Alcohol: Day 2 (BAC limits). Drugs: Day 3 (Possession/Misuse consequences). End a Term: Day 1 (Legal consequences MC 7). |
Standard 3: Demonstrate the ability to access valid health information, products, and services.
| Topic | North Dakota Standard | Where HET Covers It (Unit: Day) |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Validity of Information | 3.12.1: Evaluate the validity of health information, products, and services. | Mental Health: Day 5-6 (Numbing myths). Nutrition: Day 3-4 (Evaluating resources), Day 5-6 (Registered Dietitians vs Influencers). Diseases: Day 4 (Media Literacy), Day 5 (Research domains). End a Term: Day 1 (Online Data Scenario). |
| 2. Valid Health Resources | 3.12.2: Utilize valid health resources that protect and inform consumers. | Mental Health: Day 5-6 (Crisis Text Line). Stress: Day 5-6 (988). First Aid: Day 2 (AED Locator), Day 4 (Poison Control). Sex Education: Day 5-6 (CDC guides). |
| 3. Accessibility of Products & Services | 3.12.3: Evaluate the accessibility of products and services that enhance health. | Stress: Day 3-4 (Systemic barriers). Nutrition: Day 3-4 (Food Deserts), Day 9-10 (Economic access). Diseases: Day 5 (ZIP code). Sex Education: Day 9-10 (Planned Parenthood). |
| 4. Professional Health Services | 3.12.4: Determine when professional health services may be required. | Stress: Day 3-4 (Sadness vs Clinical Depression). Nutrition: Day 3-4 (NEDA/Professional medical care). Alcohol: Day 3 (Treatment points). Drugs: Day 4 (Medication-Assisted Treatment). Sex Education: Day 1-2 (Counselors). |
dard 4: Demonstrate the ability to use interpersonal communication skills to enhance health and avoid or reduce health r
| Topic | North Dakota Standard | Where HET Covers It (Unit: Day) |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Active Listening | 4.12.1: Demonstrate active listening skills to enhance health and avoid or reduce health risks. | Empathy: Day 2 (Active Listening), Day 3 (Active Listening goal). Mental Health: Day 1-2 (Judgment-free listening). Stress: Day 5-6 (Active listening/Refusing secrets). Diversity: Day 3 (Listening goal). |
| 2. Refusal Skills | 4.12.2: Apply effective verbal and nonverbal refusal skills to enhance health and avoid or reduce health risks. | Empathy: Day 4 (Saying No). Self-Esteem: Day 5 (People-pleasing boundaries). Dangerous Decisions: Day 3 (Refusal/Negotiation skills). Violence: Day 4 (Refusal/Advocacy). Sex Education: Day 3-4 (Clear "No" strategies). |
| 3. Negotiation Skills | 4.12.3: Apply effective verbal and nonverbal negotiation skills to enhance health and avoid or reduce health risks. | Conflict: Day 1 (Negotiation). Dangerous Decisions: Day 3 (Refusal/Negotiation skills). Violence: Day 5 (NVC - Nonviolent Communication). Sex Education: Day 7-8 (Yes/No/Maybe map). |
| 4. Collaboration Skills | 4.12.4: Apply effective verbal and nonverbal collaboration skills to enhance health and avoid or reduce health risks. | Empathy: Day 2 (Equitable communication). Conflict: Day 2 (Accountability/Repair). Diversity: Day 2 (Honest dialogue). First Aid: Day 2 (Bystander delegation), Day 5 (Emergency leadership). |
| 5. Conflict Resolution | 4.12.5: Demonstrate strategies to prevent, manage, or resolve interpersonal conflicts without harming self or others. | Begin a Term: Day 2 (Agreements). Stress: Day 3-4 ("I" statements), Day 7-8 (Skills-lab "I" statements). Conflict: Day 1 (Assertiveness/I-statements), Day 2 (Clarifying needs). Violence: Day 5 (Nonviolent Communication). End a Term: Day 1 (Scenario 7-8). |
| 6. Asking For & Offering Assistance | 4.12.6: Demonstrate how to ask for and offer assistance to enhance the health of self and others. | Mental Health: Day 5-6 (Seeking support), Day 9-10 (Offering empathy). Stress: Day 3-4 (Help-seeking), Day 7-8 (Help prompts). First Aid: Day 1 (911 Script). |
| 1. Barriers to Healthy Decisions | 5.12.1: Examine barriers that can hinder healthy decision making. | Mental Health: Day 3-4 (Reacting vs Responding). Dangerous Decisions: Day 1 (Decision fatigue), Day 3 (Groupthink). Nutrition: Day 5-6 (Identifying barriers). |
| 2. Decision-Making Process | 5.12.2: Apply the decision-making process in health-related situations. | Dangerous Decisions: Day 1 (STOP-THINK-CHOOSE), Day 2 (Substance quiz), Day 3 (Pre-decision challenge). First Aid: Day 4 (Crisis decisions). Sex Education: Day 7-8 (Decision Scenario). End a Term: Day 1 (Scenario 9/26). |
| 3. Individual vs. Collaborative Decisions | 5.12.3: Justify when individual or collaborative decision making is appropriate. | Mental Health: Day 1-2 (Care choices). Violence: Day 5 (Intervention choice). First Aid: Day 2 (Bystander delegation). Sex Education: Day 9-10 (Values check). |
| 4. Generating Alternatives | 5.12.4: Generate alternatives to health-related issues or problems. | Stress: Day 9-10 (Problem-solving). Dangerous Decisions: Day 2 (Coping). Nutrition: Day 1-2 (Hydration swap). |
| 5. Predicting Impacts | 5.12.5: Predict the potential short-term and long-term impact of each alternative on self and others. | Begin a Term: Day 1 (Healthy year vision), Day 2 (Vortex of Impact). Dangerous Decisions: Day 1 (Risky choice impact). Alcohol: Day 4 (Future you letter). End a Term: Day 2 (Waves of impact). |
| 6. Defending the Healthy Choice | 5.12.6: Defend the healthy choice when making decisions. | Mental Health: Day 5-6 (Assertiveness). Conflict: Day 2 (Assertive outcomes). Dangerous Decisions: Day 3 (PSA - challenging "cool" risk). Sex Education: Day 9-10 (Abstinence proactive choice). |
| 7. Evaluating Decisions | 5.12.7: Evaluate the effectiveness of health-related decisions. | Empathy: Day 5 (Empathy Lab). Stress: Day 9-10 (Toolkit implementation). Nutrition: Day 10 (Food log/MyFitnessPal expenditure tracking). |
Standard 6: Demonstrate the ability to use goal-setting skills to enhance health and avoid or reduce health risks.
| Topic | North Dakota Standard | Where HET Covers It (Unit: Day) |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Assessing Personal Health | 6.12.1: Assess personal health status. | Begin a Term: Day 1 (Reflection). Empathy: Day 1 (Survey). Self-Esteem: Day 1 (Self-Esteem Survey). Stress: Day 1-2 (Survey). Nutrition: Day 5-6 (Balance survey), Day 7-8 (Energy check). |
| 2. Personal Health Goal Plan | 6.12.2: Develop a plan to attain a personal health goal. | Begin a Term: Day 1 (Health Mission Statement). Self-Esteem: Day 4 (Self-acceptance plan). Mental Health: Day 9-10 (Personal Mental Health Plan). Stress: Day 3-4 (Action timeline). Nutrition: Day 9-10 (SMART goal plan). |
| 3. Monitoring Progress | 6.12.3: Implement strategies to monitor progress in achieving a personal health goal. | Empathy: Day 5 (Empathy growth goal). Self-Esteem: Day 2 (Strength log). Stress: Day 9-10 (Habit building). Nutrition: Day 7-8 (Fuel-up goal), Day 10 (Food log/MyFitnessPal expenditure tracking). |
| 4. Short- & Long-Term Health Plans | 6.12.4: Create an effective short-term and long-term personal health plan. | Begin a Term: Day 1 (Future letter 1/5/10yr). Mental Health: Day 9-10 (Wellness Plan). Nutrition: Day 9-10 (SMART Power Plate meal/Plan design). End a Term: Day 1 (Long-term goal mapping). |
Standard 7: Demonstrate the ability to practice health-enhancing behaviors and avoid or reduce health risks.
| Topic | North Dakota Standard | Where HET Covers It (Unit: Day) |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Individual Responsibility | 7.12.1: Analyze the role of individual responsibility for enhancing health. | Self-Esteem: Day 5 (Self-advocacy). Mental Health: Day 9-10 (Active seeking). Body Systems: Day 1 (Homeostasis challenge). Sex Education: Day 9-10 (Ownership/Rights). End a Term: Day 1 (Homeostasis). |
| 2. Health-Enhancing Behaviors | 7.12.2: Analyze health behaviors that will maintain or improve the health of self and others. | Nutrition: Day 1-2 (Macro/Micro functions), Day 9-10 (Steaming/Grilling vs Frying). Body Systems: Day 2 (Lifestyle efficiency), Day 3 (UTIs/Hygiene). Diseases: Day 5 (Lifestyle/Chronic prevention). Sex Education: Day 5-6 (Self-exam guides/Cancer prevention). |
| 3. Avoiding & Reducing Health Risks | 7.12.3: Demonstrate health behaviors to avoid or reduce health risks to self and others. | Mental Health: Day 7-8 (Digital Balance). Dangerous Decisions: Day 1 (Risky driving), Day 3 (Digital safety). First Aid: Day 2 (Hands-only CPR/AED sequence). Alcohol: Day 1-4 (Overdose/Poisoning response). Sex Education: Day 7-8 (Condom Demo/Steps). |
Standard 8: Demonstrate the ability to advocate for personal, family, and community health.
| Topic | North Dakota Standard | Where HET Covers It (Unit: Day) |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Health-Enhancing Messages | 8.12.1: Utilize peer and societal norms to formulate a health-enhancing message. | Mental Health: Day 1-2 (Breaking Stigma PSA). Stress: Day 1-2 (Wellness advocacy project). Dangerous Decisions: Day 3 (PSA - challenging "cool" risk). Nutrition: Day 3-4 (PSA Project). Tobacco: Day 2 (Tobacco-free advocacy). |
| 2. Influencing & Supporting Others | 8.12.2: Demonstrate how to influence and support others to make positive health choices. | Empathy: Day 5 (Kindness conversations). Mental Health: Day 9-10 (Positive culture advocacy). Violence: Day 5 (Bystander/Confidential reporting). Nutrition: Day 3-4 (Supporting Diego). Drugs: Day 3 (Harm reduction leadership). |
| 3. Cooperative Advocacy | 8.12.3: Work cooperatively as an advocate for improving personal, family, and community health. | Empathy: Day 5 (40% reduction project). Mental Health: Day 5-6 (Planning an initiative). Stress: Day 1-2 (Wellness Advocacy Project). Diversity: Day 2 (Advocating for Equity). Nutrition: Day 9-10 (School Lunch Advocacy). Alcohol: Day 4 (Safe community advocacy). |
| 4. Audience-Targeted Messages | 8.12.4: Adapt health messages and communication techniques to a specific target audience. | Conflict: Day 1-2 (Guidebooks/PSAs). Diversity: Day 3 (Media for Equity). Sex Education: Day 7-8 (Testing bookmarks). Tobacco: Day 2 (Tobacco-free advocacy). |
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