Benchmark 5F
The Living Environment: Evolution of Life
Grades 9-12, page 125

New heritable characteristics can result from new combinations of existing genes or from mutations of genes in reproductive cells. Changes in other cells of an organism cannot be passed on to the next generation.
 

NSES Content Standard C 
Life Science: The molecular basis of heredity
Grades 9-12, page 185
Changes in DNA (mutations) occur spontaneously at low rates. Some of these changes make no difference to the organism, whereas others can change cells and organisms. Only mutations in germ cells can create the variation that changes an organism's offspring.

NSES Content Standard C 
Life Science: Biological evolution
Grades 9-12, page 185
Species evolve over time. Evolution is the consequence of the interactions of (1) the potential for a species to increase its numbers, (2) the genetic variability of offspring due to mutation and recombination of genes, (3) a finite supply of the resources required for life, and (4) the ensuing selection by the environment of those offspring better able to survive and leave offspring.