Outline of the state of Texas
State
Texas
Required

Category
Health Education K-12 Curriculum—MS

Category
Health Education K-12 Curriculum—MS

State law requires middle school HE curriculum.

Texas Administrative Code Title 19 RULE §74.1 Essential Knowledge and Skills

(a) A school district that offers kindergarten through Grade 12 must offer the following as a required curriculum:

  • (2) an enrichment curriculum that includes:
  • (B) health, with emphasis on the importance of proper nutrition and exercise;
Policy Type
Regulation

Texas Administrative Code. 115.22. Health Education Grade 6.

(a) Introduction.

  • (1) In health education, students acquire the health information and skills necessary to become healthy adults and learn about behaviors in which they should and should not participate. To achieve that goal, students will understand the following: students should first seek guidance in the area of health from their parents; personal behaviors can increase or reduce health risks throughout the lifespan; health is influenced by a variety of factors; students can recognize and utilize health information and products; and personal/interpersonal skills are needed to promote individual, family, and community health.
  • (2) In middle school, students learn about health behaviors that will safeguard their health as well as information related to understanding puberty and the reproductive process. Students are taught about factors in their environment that impact, not only their health and the health of their families, but the health of their communities as well. Middle school students learn to refine their critical thinking skills to avoid unsafe situations, analyze health information and products, and maintain healthy relationships. Students begin to investigate health in the broader context of community.
Policy Type
Regulation

Texas Education Code Sec. 28.002. REQUIRED CURRICULUM

(a)Each school district that offers kindergarten through grade 12 shall offer, as a required curriculum:

(2)an enrichment curriculum that includes:

  • (A)to the extent possible, languages other than English;

  • (B)health, with emphasis on:

  • (i)physical health, including the importance of proper nutrition and exercise; and

  • (ii)mental health, including instruction about mental health conditions, substance abuse, skills to manage emotions, establishing and maintaining positive relationships, and responsible decision-making; and

  • (iii)suicide prevention, including recognizing suicide-related risk factors and warning signs;

  • (C)physical education;

Policy Type
Statute

Texas Education Code Sec. 38.013. COORDINATED HEALTH PROGRAM FOR ELEMENTARY MIDDLE AND JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS.

(a)The agency shall make available to each school district one or more coordinated health programs in elementary school, middle school, and junior high school. Each program must provide for coordinating education and services related to:

  • (1)physical health education, including programs designed to prevent obesity, cardiovascular disease, oral diseases, and Type 2 diabetes and programs designed to promote the role of proper nutrition;

  • (2)mental health education, including education about mental health conditions, mental health wellbeing, skills to manage emotions, establishing and maintaining positive relationships, and responsible decision-making;

  • (3)substance abuse education, including education about alcohol abuse, prescription drug abuse, and abuse of other controlled substances;

  • (4)physical education and physical activity; and

  • (5)parental involvement.

Policy Type
Statute