Health Education
Supporting Healthy Students, Successful Learners
Health education, student success in school, and a thriving future are linked—healthy children make better students, and better students become healthy, successful adults who are productive members of their communities.
The Mendocino County Office of Education is committed to supporting districts and educators in delivering high-quality health education that empowers students with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to make informed, healthy choices throughout their lives.
MCOE Support for Districts
Mendocino County Office of Education is here to support your district in implementing effective health education programs. We offer:
- Guidance on curriculum and alignment to state standards
- Professional development opportunities
- Resources and instructional materials
- Support with California Healthy Youth Act implementation
- Assistance in creating inclusive health education programs
California Health Education Framework
The Health Education Framework is aligned to the 2008 California Health Education Content Standards, which support the development of knowledge, skills, and attitudes in eight overarching standards: essential health concepts; analyzing health influences; accessing valid health information; interpersonal communication; decision making; goal setting; practicing health-enhancing behaviors; and health promotion.
The framework was approved by the state Board of Education on May 8, 2019, as an optional guide to help educators deliver lessons tied to California's health education standards. It serves as a voluntary handbook designed to help districts and teachers develop curricula and instruction that enable students to make healthy choices and avoid high-risk behaviors.
Six Content Areas
- Nutrition and Physical Activity
- Growth, Development, and Sexual Health
- Injury Prevention and Safety
- Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs
- Mental, Emotional, and Social Health
- Personal and Community Health
California Healthy Youth Act
The California Healthy Youth Act, which took effect in January 2016, requires school districts throughout the state to provide students with comprehensive sexual health education, along with information about HIV prevention, at least once in high school and once in middle school.
The Health Education Framework includes guidance on implementing the California Healthy Youth Act (California Education Code sections 51930-51939) and provides support for creating inclusive, safe learning environments.
Key Requirements:
- Comprehensive sexual health education in grades 7-12
- HIV prevention education
- Age-appropriate, medically accurate instruction
- Instruction may be provided in grades K-6 (optional)
- California Health Education Website
Comprehensive repository of resources, lesson plans, and professional learning materials - California Department of Education - Health Education (website)
Official state resources and guidance - California PTC: Sexual Health Educator (SHE) Training Program (website)
The California PTC offers a fully funded Sexual Health Educator Training Program. This is a strong option for meeting training requirements at no cost and build capacity within your school. - Frequently Asked Questions (website)
Answers to common questions about the framework and Healthy Youth Act
This site provides information using PDF, visit this link to download the Adobe Acrobat Reader DC software.