All of the components identified in the model are considered essential if students are to acquire the skills necessary to transfer health education information into health action in their daily lives. Shared Responsibility Shared responsibility is fundamental to health education. An effective health education program exists in the context of complementary programs in the entire school and in the community. Recognition is given to the health education provided by the home and by health care agencies. Students repeatedly gain practice in applying lifelong learning skills by extending their knowledge base, making informed decisions, and carrying out action plans.
Teachers draw content from a group of required units and a bank of optional units.
The chart on the following page identifies the required units and optional units for each of grades 6 to 9. Abstinence, STDs, Pregnancy, and Contraception One grade nine unit entitled Abstinence, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Pregnancy, and Contraception requires the approval of the school division board of trustees. School division board members decide whether this unit is to be included in the health education program taught in their school division. Parents decide whether they want their sons and daughters to obtain this information in a school setting. Communicating with Families It is recommended that the principal and teachers invite parents of Health Education students in grades 6-9 to an open house early in the school year.