Outline of the state of Pennsylvania
State
Pennsylvania
Required

Category
Health Education K-12 Curriculum—ES

Category
Health Education K-12 Curriculum—ES

State law requires elementary HE curriculum.

Pennsylvania Unconsolidated Statutes Article XV Section 1511. Subjects of Instruction; Flag Code.

In every elementary public and private school, established and maintained in this Commonwealth, the following subjects shall be taught, in the English language and from English texts: English, including spelling, reading and writing, arithmetic, geography, the history of the United States and of Pennsylvania, civics, including loyalty to the State and National Government, safety education, and the humane treatment of birds and animals, health, including physical education, and physiology, music and art

Policy Type
Statute

Pennsylvania Unconsolidated Statutes Article XV Section 1513. Physiology and Hygiene.

Physiology and hygiene, which shall in each division of the subject so pursued include special reference to the effect of alcoholic drinks, stimulants, and narcotics upon the human system, and which shall also include special reference to tuberculosis and its prevention as well as nutrition and obesity, shall be introduced and studied as a regular branch by all pupils in all departments of the public schools, and in all educational institutions supported wholly or in part by appropriations from this Commonwealth.

Policy Type
Statute

Pennsylvania Unconsolidated Statutes Article XV Section 1547. Alcohol Chemical and Tobacco Abuse Program.

(a) Beginning with school year 1991-1992 and each year thereafter, each public school student shall receive mandatory instruction in alcohol, chemical and tobacco abuse in every year in every grade from kindergarten through grade twelve. The instruction shall be integrated within the health course of study required in accordance with the State Board of Education regulations. In grades where health is offered, instruction may also be integrated into other appropriate courses of study. In grades where health is not offered, instruction shall be integrated into an appropriate curriculum requirement as listed in 22 Pa. Code §§ 4.21 (relating to elementary education: primary and intermediate levels), 4.22(relating to middle level education) and 4.23 (relating to high school education).

(1) This instruction:

  • (i) Shall be age appropriate.
  • (ii) Shall be sequential in method of study.
  • (iii) Shall discourage the use of alcohol, tobacco and controlled substances.
  • (iv) Shall communicate that the use of illicit drugs and the improper use of legally obtained drugs is wrong.
Policy Type
Statute

The Pennsylvania Code § 4.21. Elementary education: primary and intermediate levels.

(e) Planned instruction aligned with academic Standard in the following areas shall be provided to every student every year in the primary program.

  • (6) Health, safety and physical education, including instruction in concepts and skills which affect personal, family and community health and safety, nutrition, the prevention of alcohol, chemical and tobacco abuse, knowledge and practice of lifetime physical activities, personal fitness, basic movement skills and concepts, motor skill development, principles and strategies of movement, and safety practices in physical activity settings.
Policy Type
Regulation