Successfully Teaching High School Health

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	Ron Morrow Executive Director NCAAHPERD Post Office Box 27751 Raleigh, NC 27611 Phone: 888-840-6500 Fax: 888-840-6FAX (329) Local Fax: 919-833-7700 Email NCAAHPERD

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Raleigh, NC 27605
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NCAAHE Position on Health Education

NCAAHE Position on Health Education in North Carolina Schools North Carolina's young adolescents are at risk, and the risks for substance abuse, injuries, poor nutrition and lack of fitness, unintended pregnancy, violence, suicide, and AIDS) seriously endanger young people and their ability to achieve future goals. Understandably, parents and educators are gravely concerned and hope to influence young teens to make healthier choices. Health education, as part of the middle school curriculum and a component of a coordinated school health program, can be part of the solution.

Within schools, the subject area that has the greatest potential to address health and social problems of young people is Health Education. Yet the curriculum and instruction of this subject is sometimes shortchanged or neglected in many school systems. Greater attention to the content and skills of Health Education can make a difference in whether young people choose healthier behaviors and lead happier and more productive lives.

For several decades, the North Carolina Association for the Advancement of Health Education has demonstrated a commitment to improving health teaching in North Carolina. Through advocacy, curriculum development, in-service training of teachers, and the setting of high professional standards, NCAAHE has provided responsible leadership and a level of activism that has enhanced the quality of school Health Education. These efforts will continue in the future but cannot be fully realized without the involvement of others in our schools and communities. For North Carolina to attain the goal of enhanced health and well-being for children and youth, NCAAHE recommends the following:

		Schools must adopt a serious approach to the provision of Health Education as an academic subject with a curriculum that can improve the quality of young peoples' lives.

		Ideally school systems should employ fully credentialed Health teachers, rather than assign the teaching of Health to untrained faculty. The next best choice is an individual who has an endorsement in Health Education (a minimum of 18 semester hours from an accredited program) beyond certification in another subject area. When teachers of other subject areas are assigned to teach Health, the provision of staff development and in-service training is extremely important.

		Because Health Education is a dynamic discipline, the content and activities require continual updating. Teachers of Health can access staff development opportunities through several sources. The NC Comprehensive School Health Training Center is available to provide staff development in HIV/AIDS prevention education with an emphasis on abstinence, violence prevention, tobacco prevention, and other areas of Health Education. The Center staff can be reached at 828-262-2292. NCAAHE has continuing education opportunities such as the state NCAAHPERD convention and the Healthy Living Institute. (Contact Ron Morrow, Executive Director, NCAAHPERD, P.O. Box 27751, Raleigh, NC 27611, 888-840-6500, or by email at romorrow@ncaahperd.org.)

		NCAAHE recommends a full year of Healthful Living at each grade 6 through 10. In no case should less than one full semester be devoted to the Health Education component of Healthful Living Education. It is the expectation of the NC Department of Public Instruction that equal time be spent in Health Education and Physical Education.

		Health Education is best delivered in a block plan for continuity of instruction. The least desirable organizational structure is every other day or rainy day scheduling of Health Education.

		Evaluation and grading of Health should be separate rather than a combined grade with another subject area so that students and parents perceive the subject as important.

		The goals and objectives in the NC Course of Study in Healthful Living are the minimum that should be taught in Health Education. Local school systems are encouraged to add to the curriculum to address more comprehensively the health needs of early adolescents.

		Families, schools, and communities must work together to reduce risks and promote positive health behavior by young adolescents. A coordinated and consistent approach is best to enhance students’ self-image and their ability to assume self-responsibility.

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NCAAHPERD is a 501(C)(3) not for profit organization of Athletics, Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance professionals whose mission is "To provide advocacy, professional development, and unity for health, physical education, recreation, dance, and athletics professionals and students in order to enhance and promote the health of North Carolinians. Our vision is to be the leading organization promoting and supporting a healthier, more creative, and active North Carolina."

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