Health education is a continuum of learning experiences that enables students, as individuals and as members of society, to make informed decisions, modify behaviors, and change social conditions in ways that are health enhancing and increase health literacy. The health education standards define the essential skills and knowledge that all students need in order to become “health literate”; they represent a strong consensus of the essential knowledge and skills that students should have at specific grade levels, from kindergarten through grade twelve, in California’s public schools. The health education standards also reflect California’s commitment to health education and serve as a basis for learning assessments, the Health Framework for California Public Schools, and instructional resources and materials. Standards do not prescribe methods of instruction.

The following content standards are designed to help support you in your lesson development.