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.

(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.

(2) School districts may utilize any appropriate public or private materials, personnel and other resources in developing and implementing this program of instruction. The Department of Health and the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs, jointly, shall make available information about appropriate curriculum materials upon request of a school district. In developing its alcohol, chemical and tobacco abuse instructional program, each school district shall consult with the single county authority designated by the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs to provide drug and alcohol services in the school district’s area.

(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.

Concepts of Health 10.1. A. Stages of Growth and Development B. Interaction of Body Systems C. Nutrition D. Alcohol, Tobacco and Chemical Substances