The goal of health education is to provide Kentucky students with the knowledge and skills needed to adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (2017), “research shows a strong connection between healthy behaviors and academic achievement (e.g., grades, standardized tests, graduation rates, attendance).” Skill development, in conjunction with opportunities for creating and reinforcing healthy behaviors, focuses on personal decision-making, goal setting, self-management, interpersonal communication, accessing information, analyzing influences and advocacy. When these skills are combined with foundational health-related information, students are equipped to navigate today’s complex society and lead healthy lifestyles.

The goal of health education is to provide Kentucky students with the knowledge and skills needed to adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (2017), “research shows a strong connection between healthy behaviors and academic achievement (e.g., grades, standardized tests, graduation rates, attendance).” Skill development, in conjunction with opportunities for creating and reinforcing healthy behaviors, focuses on personal decision-making, goal setting, self-management, interpersonal communication, accessing information, analyzing influences and advocacy. When these skills are combined with foundational health-related information, students are equipped to navigate today’s complex society and lead healthy lifestyles.

Section 1. Before graduating from a Kentucky public high school, a student shall meet the minimum content requirements established in the required academic Standard. Section 2. Incorporation by Reference. (1) The “Kentucky Academic Standard” March 2019, is incorporated by reference.

(1) For students entering grade nine (9) on or before the first day of the 2018-2019 academic year, each student in a public school shall have a total of at least twenty-two (22) credits for high school graduation (e) Health - one-half (1/2) credit to include the content contained in the Kentucky academic Standard for this content area; (f) Physical education - one-half (1/2) credit to include the content contained in the Kentucky academic Standard for this content area; (2) Beginning with students who enter grade nine (9) on or after the first day of the 2020-2021 academic year, in order to receive a high school diploma, each student in a public school shall: (e) Health - one-half (1/2) credit to include the content contained in the Kentucky academic Standard for this content area; (f) Physical education - one-half (1/2) credit to include the content contained in the Kentucky academic Standard for this content area;

Section 1. Before graduating from a Kentucky public high school, a student shall meet the minimum content requirements established in the Kentucky Academic Standard for Health Education. Section 2. Incorporation by Reference. (1) The “Kentucky Academic Standard for Health Education” October 2018, is incorporated by reference.