Since June of 2022, the Oregon Department of Education (ODE), led by the statewide Health Education Panel and in collaboration with a diversity of internal and external partners, has been developing updated draft for the 2023 Oregon Health Education Standards. In September of 2023, the draft Oregon K-12 Health Education Standards will be presented to the State Board of Education for a first read.

The draft standards state that the standards were formed using the Oregon’s Student Health Survey from 6th, 8th and 11th graders asking about health and safety, mental and behavioral health, and climate and culture. They admit that survey data only tells part of the story. Data analysis often focuses on disparities and gaps. But data and statistics alone lack context and fail to capture the rich history and culture of many communities. Participatory analysis can provide community-led insight and context to better explain the whys of survey results.

That’s where you come in. ODE is requesting community participation by completing the 2023 Health Education Standards survey. All responses are anonymous and subject to public record. The survey window is from Wednesday, August 9 - September 1, 2023.

Health Education provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to develop health literacy, so they are able to access valid information, resources and services in order to develop, maintain and promote healthy behaviors.

Health education is built on the foundation of teaching to all dimensions of the whole child. The eight main standards in health education focus on the development of knowledge and skills that students will use throughout their lifetimes – understanding health content and concepts; analyzing influences; interpersonal communication; decision-making; goal setting; self-management; and advocacy.

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

The draft outlines these standards:

• Wellness and Health Promotion (WHP) outlines the fundamental knowledge and skills students need to understand what social, familial and community factors influence the dimensions of health.
• Safety and First Aid (SFA) outlines the knowledge and skills students need to feel more prepared and confident to prevent, identify, and address safety and emergency situations at home, at school, and in the community.
• Substance Use, Misuse, and Abuse (SUB) outlines the knowledge and skills students need to make decisions when faced with the pressures of using, misusing and abusing alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, and other substances.
• Food, Nutrition, and Physical Activity outlines the knowledge and skills students need to understand where food comes from, what foods have high nutrient content, and how culture plays an important role in nutrition and food experiences.
• Social, Emotional, and Mental Health outlines the knowledge and skills students need to understand and express feelings, thoughts, and emotions; build healthy relationships with self and others; practice healthy decision-making skills; and support kindness, care, connection, equity, diversity, and inclusion.
• Healthy Relationships and Violence/Abuse Prevention outlines the knowledge and skills students need to develop self-awareness of personal boundaries and bodily autonomy; analyze influences in media and technology; identify characteristics of healthy and affirming interpersonal relationships.
• Growth and Development outlines the knowledge and skills students need to understand the changes that people can experience during puberty and adolescence that impact physical, social, intellectual, and emotional development; understand that sexuality is a normal and positive aspect of development; identify medically accurate, inclusive reproductive anatomy; and support students in developing positive identities and self-esteem across the lifespan.
• Sexual and Reproductive Health outlines the knowledge and skills students need to take care of their bodies and make informed decisions about their health, safety, relationships, and future. This includes decision-making around sexual behavior, pregnancy, and parenting; and the personal, relational, cultural, and historical factors that influence sexuality, sexual and reproductive health, and access to healthcare.

The last two standards have created pushback from parents when schools have allowed the instruction to go beyond age appropriateness and taken to points of illegal exposure. Quality health education requires time for students to develop and practice healthy age-appropriate behaviors.


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2023-08-29 18:01:55

Last Update: 2023-08-29 18:36:03