Health Education Framework
Curriculum frameworks provide guidance to educators, parents, and publishers, to support implementing California content standards.The Health Education Framework is aligned to the 2008 California Health Education Content Standards, which support the development of knowledge, skills, and attitudes in eight overarching standards: (1) essential health concepts; (2) analyzing health influences; (3) accessing valid health information; (4) interpersonal communication; (5) decision making; (6) goal setting; (7) practicing health-enhancing behaviors; and (8) health promotion in six content areas of health education: nutrition and physical activity; growth, development, and sexual health; injury prevention and safety; alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs; mental, emotional, and social health; and personal and community health in the 2008 Health Education Content Standards, which can be downloaded from the Curriculum Frameworks and Instructional Resources Division Content Standards web page.
- Understanding California's Health Education Initiatives: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
This FAQ provides answers to frequently asked questions about the California Healthy Youth Act and the 2019 Health Education Framework.
The California Healthy Youth Act 2016 (CHYA)
The adoption of the California Healthy Youth Act 2016 (California Education Code [EC] sections 51930–51939) requires school districts to ensure that all students in grades seven through twelve, inclusive, receive comprehensive sexual health education and HIV prevention education.
- Elementary School: It is permissible to teach knowledge and skills related to comprehensive sexual health and HIV prevention education in grades kindergarten through grade six (K–6), inclusive. All instruction and materials in grades K–6 must meet the instructional criteria or baseline requirements in EC Section 51933. Content that is required in grades 7–12 may also be included in an age-appropriate way in earlier grades. (EC sections 51933, 51934[b].)
For information on the California Healthy Youth Act, please visit the California Department of Education (CDE) Comprehensive Sexual Health & HIV/AIDS Instruction web page or the California Legislative Information web page
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Framework
Health Education Framework - Whole Document
The State Board of Education adopted the Health Education Framework on May 6, 2019. To access the Health Education Framework in its entirety, use the following link Health Education Framework (PDF; 8.57MB).
- Front Matter (PDF)
- Foreword (PDF)
- Acknowledgments (PDF)
- Chapter 1: Introduction (PDF)
- Chapter 2: Supporting Health Education (PDF)
- Chapter 3: Transitional Kindergarten Through Grade Three (PDF)
- Chapter 4: Grades Four Through Six (PDF)
- Chapter 5: Grades Seven and Eight (PDF)
- Chapter 6: Grades Nine Through Twelve (PDF)
- Chapter 7: Access and Equity (PDF)
- Chapter 8: Assessment (PDF)
- Chapter 9: Instructional Materials for Health Education (PDF)
- Appendix A: Sex Trafficking (PDF)
- Appendix B: Examples of Standards-Based Instruction (PDF)
- Long Descriptions for Complex Figures and Tables in the Health Education Framework
- Health Framework Resources Links
Instructional Resources
- Understanding California's Health Education Initiatives: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
This FAQ provides answers to frequently asked questions about the California Healthy Youth Act and the 2019 Health Education Framework.
Professional Development and Resources for the 2019 Health Education Curriculum Framework Revision— Assembly Bill 97 (2017)
- Assembly Bill 97 (2017) allocated funding to provide professional development and resources for teachers, administrators, and paraprofessionals on the 2019 Health Education Framework revision. Additionally, an online repository of resources will be made available to support the implementation of the Health Education Framework.
For information on the current process to adopt health textbooks, please go to the Health Education Instructional Materials web page.
Timeline
2019 Revision of the Health Education Framework
The California Department of Education (CDE), Instructional Quality Commission (IQC), and State Board of Education (SBE) adopted the 2019 Health Education Curriculum Framework for California Public Schools, Transitional Kindergarten Through Grade Twelve (Health Education Framework) on May 8, 2019.
- Schedule of Significant Events for the 2019 Revision of the Health Education Framework
The schedule of significant events for the revision of the Health Education Framework was approved by the SBE on September 9, 2016.
Curriculum Framework and Evaluation Criteria Committee (CFCC)/Focus Groups
CFCC Meeting Agendas and Notices
The public meeting notices/agendas provide details on each of the focus group meetings. All CFCC meetings were open to the public, and there were opportunities for public comment at each meeting. Audio recordings of each of the CFCC meetings are available upon request by emailing healtheducationframework@cde.ca.gov or calling 916-324-2452.
- Meeting Agenda and Notice: January 25-26, 2018
- Meeting Agenda and Notice: November 29-30, 2017
- Meeting Agenda and Notice: September 18-19, 2017
- Meeting Agenda and Notice: August 10-11, 2017
- Meeting Agenda and Notice: June 19-20, 2017
- Meeting Agenda and Notice: May 4-5, 2017
CFCC Members
On March 9, 2017, the State Board of Education appointed 20 members to the CFCC to assist in the revision of the Health Education Framework. The work of the CFCC guided the writing of the draft Health Education Framework.
- Health Education CFCC Members
- Guidelines for 2019 Revision of the Health Education Framework
Guidelines for 2019 Revision of the Health Education Framework (DOCX)
On March 9, 2017, The State Board of Education approved guidelines to direct the work of the CFCC.
Focus Groups
The California Department of Education convened four focus group meetings in November 2016 to provide input on the revision of the Health Education Framework. The meetings were open to the public, and there was an opportunity for public comment at each meeting. The report of findings from these four focus group meetings informed the work of the CFCC.
Public Comment
Public Comment for the Revised DRAFT 2019 Health Education Framework
The first 60-day public comment and review period took place from April 2018 through June 2018, and the second 60-day public comment and review period took place from November 1, 2018, through January 11, 2019. The public review and comment period is an opportunity for any interested individuals or organizations to provide comments and suggested edits on the draft Health Education Framework to the Instructional Quality Commission (IQC).
On May 8, 2019, the State Board of Education took action to adopt the Health Education Framework with the revisions of removing the following resources:
- My Princess Boy
- Who Are You?: The Kids Guide to Gender Identity
- Changing You!: A Guide to Body Changes and Sexuality
- The What's Happening to My Body?: Book for Boys
- The What’s Happening to My Body?: Book for Girls
- S.E.X: The All You Need to Know Sexuality Guide to Get You Through Your Teens and Twenties
Additional Resources
- Health Framework California Public Schools, Kindergarten Through Grade Twelve (2003) (PDF; 2MB)
Please note that the 2003 Health Framework is no longer current. It does not reflect the Health Education Content Standards adopted by the State Board of Education in March 2008. In addition, the section on Family Living (pages 63–64) is inconsistent with the current state law. For current information on HIV/AIDS prevention education, see the Comprehensive Sexual Health & HIV/AIDS Instruction web page.
- Content Standards - Kindergarten Through Grade Twelve (PDF; 1MB)
Adopted by the State Board of Education in March 2008.