Department of Education

proposed

851 K-12 Comprehensive Health Education Program

A. Type of Regulatory Action Required

Re-authorization of Existing Regulation

B. Synopsis of Subject Matter of the Regulation

The Secretary of Education seeks the consent of the State Board of Education to re-authorize 14 DE Admin. Code 851, K-12 Comprehensive Health Education Program. The regulation is due for review under the five year cycle prescribed by statute. Some changes may need to be made, but a task force is currently studying issues related to this regulation and their work will not be completed by the time action is due on the regulation. Changes will be considered following their report and in the meantime the regulation is recommended for reauthorization.

C. Impact Criteria

1. Will the re-authorized regulation help improve student achievement as measured against state achievement standards? Research is indicating a strong connection between good health and student achievement.

2. Will the re-authorized regulation help ensure that all students receive an equitable education? The re-authorized regulation addresses health issues not equity issues.

3. Will the re-authorized regulation help to ensure that all students’ health and safety are adequately protected? The re-authorized regulation addresses health issues.

4. Will the re-authorized regulation ensure that all students’ legal rights are respected? The re-authorized regulation addresses health issues not students’ legal rights.

5. Will the re-authorized regulation preserve the necessary authority and flexibility of decision making at the local board and school level? The re-authorized regulation will preserve the necessary authority and flexibility of decision making at the local board and school level.

6. Will the re-authorized regulation place unnecessary reporting or administrative requirements or mandates upon decision makers at the local board and school levels? The re-authorized regulation will not place any unnecessary reporting or administrative requirements or mandates upon decision makers at the local board and school levels.

7. Will the decision making authority and accountability for addressing the subject to be regulated be placed in the same entity? The decision making authority and accountability for addressing the subject to be regulated will remain in the same entity.

8. Will the re-authorized regulation be consistent with and not an impediment to the implementation of other state educational policies, in particular to state educational policies addressing achievement in the core academic subjects of mathematics, science, language arts and social studies? The re-authorized regulation will be consistent with and not an impediment to the implementation of other state educational policies, in particular to state educational policies addressing achievement in the core academic subjects of mathematics, science, language arts and social studies.

9. Is there a less burdensome method for addressing the purpose of the re-authorized regulation? There is no less burdensome method for addressing the purpose of the re-authorized regulation.

10. What is the cost to the State and to the local school boards of compliance with the re-authorized regulation? There is no additional cost to the State and to the local school boards of compliance with the re-authorized regulation.

851 K-12 Comprehensive Health Education Program

1.0 Each school district shall have a sequential, skill-based K-12 Comprehensive Health Education Program that establishes a foundation of understanding the relationship between personal behavior and health and shall include at a minimum the following:

1.1 Identification of a district level person to coordinate the district program and a coordinator in each building to assure compliance at the building level.

1.2 Appointment of persons such as teachers, parents, school nurses, community leaders, guidance counselors, law enforcement officers and others with expertise in the areas of health, family life and safe and drug free schools and communities to serve as members of the District Consolidated Application Planning Committee.

1.3 The use of the state content standards for health education for grades K-12 inclusive of the core concepts: alcohol and other drugs, injury prevention, nutrition, physical activity, family life and sexuality, tobacco, emotional health, personal and consumer health and community and environmental health with minimum hours of instruction as follows:

1.3.1 In grades K-4, a minimum of thirty (30) hours in each grade of comprehensive health education and family life education of which ten (10) hours, in each grade, must address drug/alcohol education.

1.3.2 In grades 5 and 6, a minimum of thirty-five (35) hours in each grade of comprehensive health education and family life education of which fifteen (15) hours, in each grade, must address drug/alcohol education.

1.3.3 In grades 7 and 8, separate from other subject areas, a minimum of sixty (60) hours of comprehensive health education of which fifteen (15) hours, in each grade, must address drug/alcohol education. If all of the 60 hours are provided in one year at grade 7 or 8, an additional fifteen hours of drug/alcohol education must be provided in the other grade.

1.3.4 In grades 9-12, one-half (1/2) credit of comprehensive health education is required for graduation of which fifteen (15) hours of this 1/2 credit course must address drug/alcohol education. This 1/2 credit course may be provided in the 9th, 10th, 11th or 12th grade. In each of the remaining three grades, fifteen (15) hours of drug/ alcohol education must be provided for all students.

1.4 Inclusion of a comprehensive sexuality education and an HIV prevention program that stresses the benefits of abstinence from high-risk behaviors.

1.5 Inclusion of the core concepts of nutrition and family life and sexuality implemented through family and consumer science/home economics courses.

1.6 An annual staff development plan that describes the use of effective instructional methods as demonstrated in sound research in the core concepts and skills inclusive of accessing information, self-management, analyzing internal and external influences, interpersonal communication, decision making and goal setting and advocacy.

1.7 A description of the method(s) used to implement and evaluate the effectiveness of the program which shall be reported every three years as part of the Quality Review for Ensuring School and Student Success.

3 DE Reg. 1073 (2/1/00)