Major Concepts/Content: This required health education course is designed to help high school students extend their conceptualization of knowledge, attitudes, and skills related to health issues learned in middle school.  The focus is on students dealing with the world today and preparing for adult living based on a health and wellness ethic.  Developmentally appropriate concepts of personal and community health (PCH), safety (SFTY), mental health (MH), alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs (ATOD), and family life and human sexuality (FLHS) are taught in this course.  Students will utilize health education concepts when applying health information literacy skills, enhancing intrapersonal and interpersonal communications, analyzing internal and external influences, and applying thinking, self-management, and advocacy to promote wellness and reduce health risks.

Major Instructional Activities: Instruction is based on the needs, interests, strengths, and culture of high school students.  Personal knowledge, attitudes, and skills are developed along with the promotion of family and community health.  The emphasis is on the application of health concepts through self or group-directed learning activities.  Appropriate resources and technology are used for teaching and learning.  Ultimately, parents are viewed as the primary health educators; along with community resources, they are encouraged to be partners in the school-based health education program.

Major Evaluative Techniques: Multiple authentic assessment strategies are used to enable students to develop their health-related knowledge, attitudes, and skills; e.g., performance, portfolio, or product assessment by the teacher, self, or peers.

Last Revised: July 18, 2005