Health Education
Health Teachers serve an important role in our PreK-12 classrooms, educating students on concepts to support the development of healthy habits that can last a lifetime. It is important for Health Teachers to stay up-to-date on current issues impacting the health and well-being of our youth. In addition, as legislation changes, Health Teachers need to be aware of new mandates and requirements related to educating students on social, emotional, and physical well-being. Common questions related to Health Education are addressed below.
Health Education FAQ
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs)
What staff must be certified in CPR and First Aid?
Are there requirements on offering CPR and automated external defibrillator (AED) training?
EDUCATION CODE CHAPTER 22. SCHOOL DISTRICT EMPLOYEES AND VOLUNTEERS (texas.gov)
Are LEAs required to have AEDs?
Are LEAs required to have AEDs at University Interscholastic League (UIL) athletic practices and competitions?
Are students required to complete CPR training prior to graduation?
TAC §74.38 Texas Administrative Code (state.tx.us)
Does the student training have to result in certification?
Must the student training include a hands-on (psychomotor) component?
Who may instruct the CPR training for students?
Does completion of the required CPR training need to be documented on the student’s transcript?
TAC §74.5: Texas Administrative Code (state.tx.us)
Bleeding Control Training (STOP the Bleed)
Which staff are required to receive bleeding control training?
- each school district peace officer or school security personnel employed who provides security services at the campus;
- each school resource officer who provides law enforcement at the campus; and
- all other district or school personnel who may be reasonably expected to use a bleeding control station
Is the bleeding control training for staff an annual requirement?
Are students required to receive training on STOP the Bleed?
What bleeding controlled training courses are approved for use by the Texas Education Agency (TEA)?
Where should bleeding control stations at campuses be located?
School Health Survey
What is the School Health Survey?
Who should complete the School Health Survey?
When is the School Health Survey due?
Health Education
Is health education required in elementary school?
Is health education required in middle school?
Is health education a requirement in high school to graduate?
Where can a LEA find additional resources to support offering health education as a graduation requirement?
Sexual Education
What is the role of the SHAC in regards to sexual education curriculum selection?
EDUCATION CODE CHAPTER 28. COURSES OF STUDY; ADVANCEMENT (texas.gov)
When can a SHAC review and make recommendations to the board on the district’s sexual education curriculum?
- The board to adopt a resolution to convene the SHAC for the purpose of making recommendations regarding curriculum materials.
- The SHAC to hold at least two public meetings on the curriculum prior to adopting recommendations.
- The SHAC to provide the recommendations to the board at a public-school board meeting.
- The board take action on adoptions of the recommendations by a record vote at a public meeting.
Does the human sexuality instruction taught have to be abstinence based?
- present abstinence from sexual activity as the preferred choice of behavior in relationship to all sexual activity for unmarried persons of school age;
- devote more attention to abstinence from sexual activity than to any other behavior;
- emphasize that abstinence from sexual activity, if used consistently and correctly, is the only method that is 100 percent effective in preventing pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, infection with human immunodeficiency virus or acquired immune deficiency syndrome, and the emotional trauma associated with adolescent sexual activity;
- direct adolescents to a standard of behavior in which abstinence from sexual activity before marriage is the most effective way to prevent pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, and infection with human immunodeficiency virus or acquired immune deficiency syndrome.
- teach contraception and condom use in terms of human use reality rates instead of theoretical laboratory rates, if instruction on contraception and condoms is included in curriculum content.
Can a LEA distribute condoms in connection with the human sexuality instruction?
Are LEAs allowed to separate students based on sex for the human sexuality instruction?
Are LEAs required to notify parents regarding human sexuality instruction?
- A statement informing the parent of the human sexuality instruction requirements under state law;
- A detailed description of the content of the district’s human sexuality instruction and a general schedule on which the instruction will be provided.
- A statement of the parent's right to, at the parent’s discretion:
- Review or purchase curriculum materials; and
- remove the student from any part of the district's human sexuality instruction without subjecting the student to any disciplinary action, academic penalty, or other sanction imposed by the district or the student's school;
- use the grievance procedure or the appeals process concerning a complaint or violation of this section;
- A statement that any curriculum in the public domain must be posted on the district’s website and the website address at which the curriculum materials are located; and
- Information describing the opportunities for parental involvement in the development of the curriculum to be used in human sexuality instruction, including information regarding the local school health advisory council.
Are parents/guardians allowed to opt their students out of participation in human sexuality instruction?
Parenting and Paternity Awareness (p.a.p.a.)
What is p.a.p.a. Training?
What content is included in the p.a.p.a. training?
Where can I learn more information about the p.a.p.a. training program?
Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS)
What is the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS)?
- Behaviors that contribute to unintentional injuries and violence
- Sexual behaviors related to unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV infection
- Alcohol and other drug use
- Tobacco use
- Unhealthy dietary behaviors
- Inadequate physical activity
When is the YRBS conducted?
How are the results from the YRBS used?
Are LEAs required to participate in the survey required?
Where can a LEA find out more about the YRBS in Texas?
E-Cigarettes
Are LEAs required to provide instruction to prevent the use of e-cigarettes?
Where can a LEA find additional resources on providing instruction in schools to prevent the use of e-cigarettes?
Is smoking or the use of e-cigarettes allowed on school property?
Opioid Addiction
Are there any requirements regarding instruction on opioid addiction?
Where can a LEA get additional information and resources on Fentanyl prevention resources?
Additional Questions
Is there a list of recommended best practice resources for school districts to utilize for mental health promotion/intervention, substance abuse prevention/intervention, and suicide prevention?
- early mental health prevention and intervention;
- building skills related to managing emotions, establishing and maintaining positive relationships, and responsible decision-making;
- substance abuse prevention and intervention;
- suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention;
- grief-informed and trauma-informed practices;
- positive school climates;
- positive behavior interventions and supports;
- positive youth development; and
- safe, supportive, and positive school climate.
Were the Health Education and Physical Education Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) updated?
- Information on the new Health Education TEKS review can be found at the following web address: Health Education TEKS Review | Texas Education Agency
- Information on the Physical Education TEKS review can be found at the following web address; Physical Education TEKS Review | Texas Education Agency