Outline of the state of California
State
California
Addressed

Category
Health Education K-12 Curriculum—Mental and Emotional Health—HS

Category
Health Education K-12 Curriculum—Mental and Emotional Health—HS

State law addresses mental and emotional health.

California Education Code 51890 Definitions

(a) For the purposes of this chapter, “comprehensive health education programs” are defined as all educational programs offered in kindergarten and grades 1 to 12, inclusive, in the public school system, including in-class and out-of-class activities designed to ensure that:

  • (1) Pupils will receive instruction to aid them in making decisions in matters of personal, family, and community health, to include the following subjects:
    • (A) The use of health care services and products.
    • (B) Mental and emotional health and development.
    • (C) Drug use and misuse, including the misuse of tobacco and alcohol.
    • (D) Family health and child development, including the legal and financial aspects and responsibilities of marriage and parenthood.
    • (E) Oral health, vision, and hearing.
    • (F) Nutrition, which may include related topics such as obesity and diabetes.
    • (G) Exercise, rest, and posture.
    • (H) Diseases and disorders, including sickle cell anemia and related genetic diseases and disorders.
    • (I) Environmental health and safety.
    • (J) Community health.
  • (2) To the maximum extent possible, the instruction in health is structured to provide comprehensive education in health that includes all the subjects in paragraph (1).
  • (3) The community actively participates in the teaching of health including classroom participation by practicing professional health and safety personnel in the community.
  • (4) Pupils gain appreciation for the importance and value of lifelong health and the need for each individual to take responsibility for his or her own health.
  • (5) School districts may voluntarily provide pupils with instruction on preventative health care, including obesity and diabetes prevention through nutrition education.
Policy Type
Statute

California Education Code 51900.5 Department of Education

(a) During the next revision of the publication “Health Framework for California Public Schools” (health framework), the Instructional Quality Commission shall consider developing, and recommending for adoption by the state board, a distinct category on mental health instruction to educate pupils about all aspects of mental health.

Policy Type
Statute