Health Education Graduation Course Requirement Implementation Plan

1. Kristine M. Meurer, Ph.D., Acting Assistant SecretaryStudent Success DivisionDerek Irion, Physical Education ConsultantSchool and Family Support Bureau Health Education Graduation Course Requirement Implementation Plan

2. In 2009, House Memorial 127 charged the PED to conduct a study on Health Education.

3. The HM 127 Committee surveyed students, parents, school administrators and school health providers.

4. Three-fourths of all NM public school students surveyed (75%) indicated that a .5 health education credit should be required for graduation.

5. The majority (96%) of post-secondary students felt that all high school students should be required to take at least one health education class. • Additionally, 59% would have been willing to give up a one semester elective course to take a one semester required health education course.

6. Four hundred twenty seven (427) parents responded to the parent survey which was conducted across the state in both Spanish and English. • Parent Survey results show overwhelming support: 88.5% for health education as a graduation requirement in New Mexico public schools.

7. In the 2010 Regular Legislative Session, Section 22-13-1.1.J NMSA 1978 was amended to include health education as a requirement for graduation beginning with students entering the eighth grade in the 2012-2013 school year.

8. Beginning with students entering the eighth grade in 2012-2013 school year, a course in health education is required prior to graduation. Health education may be required in either middle school or high school, as determined by the school district. Each school district shall submit to the department by the beginning of the 2011-2012 school year a health education implementation plan for the 2012-2013 and subsequent school years, including in which grade health education will be required and how the course aligns with the department content and performance standards. 22-13-1.1.J NMSA 1978

9. Please note: • In state statute and Public Education Department (PED) rule, the current requirements for meeting the New Mexico Health Education Content Standards with Benchmarks and Performance Standards have notchanged and are mandated for students in grades 1-12.

10. Please note: • As well as ensuring all students have a health education course for graduation, districts/charter schools must continue to teach health education in grades 1-12. • (http://www.nmcpr.state.nm.us/nmac/parts/title06/06.029.0001.htm)

11. High School Course: • Ensure curriculum alignment to the 9-12 HE performance standards. • Ensure the course is taught by a PED licensed teacher with an endorsement in Health Education.

12. High School Course: • Ensure district opt-out policy for sexuality. • Have the school board or governing body sign off on the Health Education Graduation Requirement Implementation Plan. • Submit the implementation plan on CD to PED.

13. Middle School Course: • Ensure curriculum alignment to the 9-12 HE performance standards. • Ensure the course is taught by a PED licensed teacher with an endorsement in Health Education.

14. Middle School Course: • Ensure district opt-out policy for sexuality. • Have the school board or governing body sign off on the Health Education Graduation Requirement Implementation Plan.

15. Middle school course: • Identify how the district will ensure that all students have health education on student transcripts. • Identify how transfer student to high schools who did not have HE in Middle School will meet the requirement. • Submit the implementation plan on CD to PED.

16. Middle school course: *If course is in 6th grade - district must indicate how the they will ensure that the 7th and 8th grade students in the 2012-2013 school year will obtain the graduation requirement. *If course is in 7th grade – district must indicate how the district will ensure that the 8th grade students in the 2012-2013 school year will obtain the graduation requirement.

17. Health Education Graduation Course Requirement Implementation Plan Guidance Document http://www.ped.state.nm.us/sfsb/index.html

18. opt-out policy. The opt-out policy with documented board/governing body approval date must be submitted as part the Health Education Requirement Implementation Plan.

19. Opt-out Policy must include: The opt-out policy with school board/governing body approval date must be submitted on the CD as part the implementation plan. The process for parents to request an exemption from the parts of the HE curriculum that address the sexuality performance standards. How alternative lessons are established for the exempted parts of the curriculum. 3. Each local board of education or governing body of a charter school shall ensure the involvement of parents, staff and students in the development of the policy.

20. According to the American Association of School Administrators [Dr. Sarah Jerome, AASA President and Superintendent, District 25, Arlington Heights, Illinois (2007)]: “Health of mind and body is the most basic and fundamental requirement before any other [educational] goal can be met.”

22. Technical Assistance Contact Information: School and Family Support Bureau contact information: 505-827-1804 Kristine.Meurer@state.nm.us Derek.Irion@state.nm.us