Goals and Strands

The purpose of health education is to develop health-literate students–students who acquire an understanding of health concepts and the skills needed to make healthy decisions to improve, sustain, and promote personal, family, and community health. As a result of health education instruction, students will be able to:

• Access, evaluate, and synthesize information to protect, enhance, and advocate for their own and others’ health, well-being, and safety across their lifespan;

• Critically analyze health information from a variety of sources (scientific information, health brochures, media messages, and Web sites) to make appropriate health decisions and access services needed to prevent or treat illness; and

• Develop and use personal, behavioral, social and cognitive skills and strategies to promote a sense of personal identity and well-being and to build and manage respectful relationships.