The majority of districts in Massachusetts follow a model of comprehensive school health education programming as is recommended throughout the research literature and that is in line with major working definitions in the field. Of these, the area that may be more limited is parent involvement, which seems the most difficult for districts to attain. Student health and learning are closely linked and for this reason students' learning can be compromised when they are not well or when their ability to focus and concentrate is limited due to health issues. The importance of this is seen in the Healthy People 2000 initiative which includes health related objectives for children and adults.
Several objectives identify schools.
Within these objectives are those that are specific to comprehensive school health education program delivery and to substance use prevention and violence prevention. Massachusetts has for the most part met and in some cases exceeded these objectives. Objective 3.10 calls for the establishment of tobacco-free environments and inclusion of tobacco use prevention in the curricula of all elementary, middle, and secondary schools, preferably as part of comprehensive school health education. Objective 4.13 calls for the provision to children in all school districts and private schools, primary and secondary educational programs on alcohol and other drugs, preferably as part of comprehensive school education. Objective 7.16 calls for an increase to at least 50 percent the proportion of elementary and secondary schools that teaches nonviolent conflict resolution skills, preferably as part of comprehensive school health education.