Health Education Status Survey; A Summary Report.

Overview & Synopsis

This paper reports on a survey requesting information about the status of Illinois health education programs in grades 6-12. The survey was distributed to 1,123 school administrators, including unit superintendents and all principals of middle, junior, and senior high schools and of selected large elementary districts with organizational patterns including junior high and/or middle schools. The survey consisted of two major parts, which sought information about program and personnel. Analysis of the survey results indicates the following: (a) ninety-four schools do not have a formal health education program; (b) one hundred twenty schools schedule health education with the science curriculum; (c) four hundred twenty-six schools schedule health education classes with physical education; (d) one hundred forty schools reported health education as a distinct semester course; (e) fifty-one schools have integrated health education programs with health education units taught by teachers representing three or more disciplines; and (f) in grades six, seven, and eight health education classes are most often scheduled on a coeducational basis, and at the senior high level classes are most frequently scheduled according to sex. In summary, the survey has been useful in assessing health education program and needs in Illinois schools and by revealing four critical needs in health education in Illinois and providing a current roster of health education teachers. (PD)