State Policy Support for School Health Education: A Review and Analysis.

Overview & Synopsis

This report presents, discusses, and analyzes major findings of a 1981 survey on school health education conducted by the Education Commission of the States (ECS). The purpose of this study is to document state level support for activities in school health education. The survey focuses on the state education agency's role in the development of health education programs in local school districts. Findings are presented in the categories of: (1) roles of state boards of education in formulating and supporting implementation of state educational policy; (2) education codes and support from state legislatures; (3) state facilitation in program development; (4) roles of local school districts; and (5) state leadership groups. It is concluded that there is a high level of interest in school health education in many states, although it is noted that program support and resources committed to such programs vary. An appendix presents charts displaying data, from each state, on sources of support for school health education, health education as a high school graduation requirement, professional preparation for secondary school health teachers, health education staff in state education agencies, state health education guides, and state level leadership groups. The ECS state school health education survey questions are also appended. (JD)