Comprehensive Health Education

Content of Instruction The district's health education program shall include instruction at the appropriate grade levels in the following content areas: 1. Alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs 2. Human growth, development, and sexual health 3. Injury prevention and safety Instruction related to injury prevention and safety may include, but is not limited to, first aid, protective equipment such as helmets, violence prevention, topics related to bullying and harassment, emergency procedures, and Internet safety. 4. Mental, emotional, and social health Health education courses offered to middle school students shall include mental health instruction that meets the requirements of Education Code 51925-51927, as specified in Administrative Regulation 6143 - Courses of Study. 5. Nutrition and physical activity 6. Personal and community health Instruction in personal and community health may include, but is not limited to, oral health, personal hygiene, sun safety, vision and hearing protection, transmission of germs and communicable diseases, symptoms of common health problems and chronic diseases, and the effect of behavior on the environment. Within each of the above content areas, instruction shall be designed to assist students in developing: 1. An understanding of essential concepts related to enhancing health 2. The ability to analyze internal and external influences that affect health 3. The ability to access and analyze health information, products, and services 4. The ability to use interpersonal communication skills, decision-making skills, and goal-setting skills to enhance health 5. The ability to practice behaviors that reduce risk and promote health 6. The ability to promote and support personal, family, and community health Parent/Guardian Notification and Opt-Out At the beginning of each school year or at the time of a student's enrollment, parents/guardians shall be notified that they may request in writing to opt their students out of participating in the following: 1. Anonymous, voluntary, and confidential tests, questionnaires, and surveys containing age-appropriate questions about students' attitudes concerning or practices relating to sex (Education Code 51938, 51939) 2. Any instruction in health that conflicts with the student's religious training and beliefs, including personal moral convictions (Education Code 51240) 3. Any instruction in sexual abuse and/or sexual assault awareness and prevention (Education Code 51900.6 4. Any instruction in comprehensive sexual health and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention (Education Code 51938, 51939) 5. Any other instruction as permitted by law Additionally, the district shall not administer any exam, survey, or questionnaire that contains questions about the student's or the student's family's personal beliefs or practices in sex, family life, morality, or religion unless the student's parent/guardian has given written permission. (Education Code 51513) Involvement of Health Professionals Health care professionals, health care service plans, health care providers, and other entities participating in a voluntary initiative with the district are prohibited from communicating about a product or service in a way that is intended to encourage persons to purchase or use the product or service. However, the following activities may be allowed: (Education Code 51890) 1. Health care or health education information provided in a brochure or pamphlet that contains the logo or name of a health care service plan or health care organization, if provided in coordination with the voluntary initiative 2. Outreach, application assistance, and enrollment activities relating to federal, state, or county-sponsored health care insurance programs if the activities are conducted in compliance with the statutory, regulatory, and programmatic guidelines applicable to those programs