Health education is integral to the primary mission of schools. It provides young people with the knowledge and skills they need to become successful learners and healthy and productive adults. Health education is a fundamental part of an overall school health program. Welcome to HECAT and CDC HECAT overview
New Mexico Health Education Standards
K-4 Health Education Standards
5-8 Health Education Standards
9-12 Health Education Standards
Health Standards Supplemental Guide This Resource Guide is intended to provide health education teachers and other health advocates with national, state, and local resources that may enhance their delivery of health education lessons aligned to the New Mexico Health Education Content Standards with Benchmarks and Performance Standards.
Lifesaving Skills/CPR Resources
American Heart Association: Hands only CPR, AED Implementation
American Red Cross: CPR Programs for Schools
Project Heart Start New Mexico: Heart Start for Schools
2016 Legislation Lifesaving Skills
American Heart Association Community CPR Manager, SW Region, Contact: Jim Myers
Tobacco and Nicotine Prevention Resources
Tobacco Policy Implementation Checklist
National Health Education Standards The National Health Education Standards (NHES) were developed to establish, promote, and support health-enhancing behaviors for students in all grade levels—from pre-Kindergarten through grade 12. The NHES provide a framework for teachers, administrators, and policy makers in designing or selecting curricula, allocating instructional resources, and assessing student achievement and progress. Importantly, the standards provide students, families and communities with concrete expectations for health education.
Health Education in Schools Schools can play a critical role in reducing adolescent health risks through the delivery of effective health education. The specific content and skills addressed in health education, including sexual health and other related topic areas (e.g., violence prevention, mental and emotional health, food and nutrition), are commonly organized into a course of study or program and often summarized in a curriculum framework
CDC Health Education Tools and Trainings Successful in-service PD programs can improve both the amount of time teachers spend on health topics and their confidence to provide health and sexual health instruction. Research shows that professional development helps to boost teacher credibility among and empathy with students. Improved credibility can help increase the value students place on the topics being taught and their knowledge of the topics.
Characteristics of Effective Health Education Curriculum Today’s state-of-the-art health education curricula reflect the growing body of research that emphasizes:
- Teaching functional health information (essential knowledge).
- Shaping personal values and beliefs that support healthy behaviors.
- Shaping group norms that value a healthy lifestyle.
- Developing the essential health skills necessary to adopt, practice, and maintain health-enhancing behaviors.
Health Education Curriculum Analysis Tool (HECAT)
The Health Education Curriculum Analysis Tool (HECAT) is an assessment tool to help school districts, schools, and others conduct a clear, complete, and consistent analysis of health education curricula based on the National Health Education Standards and CDC’s Characteristics of an Effective Health Education Curriculum.
HECAT results can help school select or develop appropriate and effective health education curricula, enhance existing curricula, and improve the delivery of health education. The HECAT can be customized to meet local community needs and conform to the curriculum requirements of the state or school district.
SHAPE America Society of Health and Physical Educators SHAPE America is a proud member of the coalition that developed the National Health Education Standards. The National Health Education Standards PreK-12 were released in Spring 2007 and provide a revision of the 1995 standards. Resources include Appropriate Practices in School-Based Health Education, and Health Literacy.
If you have questions please contact:
Sharona Secatero Sharona.Secatero2@ped.nm.gov