The Academic Standard for Health, Safety and Physical Education provide students with the knowledge and skills that will enable them to achieve and maintain a physically active and healthful life. The attainment of these Standard will favorably impact their lives and the lives of those around them. By becoming and remaining physically, mentally, socially and emotionally healthy, students will increase their chances of achieving to their highest academic potential.

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.

(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.

(6) Health, safety and physical education. Study of concepts and skills which affect personal, family and community health and safety, nutrition, physical fitness, movement concepts and strategies, safety in physical activity settings, and leadership and cooperation in physical activities.

(c) Planned instruction aligned with academic Standard in the following areas shall be provided to every student in the high school program.

• (8) Health, safety and physical education, including instruction in concepts and skills which affect personal, family and community health and safety, nutrition, physical fitness, movement concepts, motor skill development, safety in physical activity settings, and the prevention of alcohol, chemical and tobacco abuse.