Tennessee Health Education Standards 6-8

The State Health Education Standards can be used to support the effective implementation of comprehensive health education as one of the eight components of Coordinated School Health. The standards are carefully designed to support schools, educators, families, and other stakeholders in helping students meet the 2007 National Health Education Standards’ primary goal of health education: for students to adopt and maintain healthy behaviors.

Personal Health and Wellness

Domain Description: In 1995, the National Health Education Standards established “health literacy” as the primary outcome of a comprehensive K-12 Health Education program. The product of a successful health education program is not just a person who knows a lot about health topics, but a person who is: a critical thinker and problem solver who can apply decision-making and goal-setting skills within the context of health; a responsible, productive citizen who avoids behaviors that place his/her health or that of others at risk; a lifelong learner who continues to grow in knowledge by gathering, analyzing, and applying accurate health information as his/her needs change throughout life.

Standard 1:

The student will demonstrate the ability to implement decision making and goal setting skills to promote his/her personal health and wellness, thereby enhancing quality of life for himself/herself and those around him/her.

Standard 2:

The student will understand the importance of personal hygiene practices as related to healthy living.

Standard 3:

The student will understand the role of body systems as

related to healthy living.

Standard 4:

The student will understand the relationship of physical

activity and rest to healthy living.

 Nutrition

Domain Description:

Proper nutrition is essential for maintaining a healthy

lifestyle. Healthful nutrition helps to prevent chronic diseases such as diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular disease. Using the USDA’s “My Pyramid” can provide guidelines for healthy eating. It is important to balance food intake and physical

activity to promote healthy living.

Standard 5:

The student will understand the relationship of nutrition to

healthy living.

Family Life

Domain Description:

The dynamic process of growth and development

encompasses physical, mental, emotional, and social maturation. Positive personal and family relationships provide a foundation that promotes healthy development. (Refer to TCA 49-6-1303 with regard to children excused from family life instruction by parent or guardian).

Standard 6:

The student will understand the contributions of family

relationships to healthy living.

Standard 7:

The student will understand the stages of human growth and

development.

Emotional, Social, and Mental Health

Domain Description:

Emotional, social, and mental health is dependent upon a

healthy self-concept and communicating needs, wants, and feelings in a healthy manner. Learning to manage conflict, anger and stress promotes healthy living.

Standard 8:

The student will understand the importance of positive self-concept and interpersonal relationships for healthy living.

Disease Prevention and Control

Domain Description:

Disease prevention is greatly influenced by health enhancing knowledge and behaviors practiced throughout life.

Standard 9:

The student will understand attitudes and behaviors for

preventing and controlling disease.

Injury Prevention and Safety

Domain Description:

According to the Tennessee Department of Health-Office of Health Statistics, the leading cause of death for individuals between the ages of 1 and 44 is unintentional injury, and accounts for more deaths than heart disease and cancer combined.

Standard 10:

The student will understand attitudes and behaviors for

preventing injuries and deaths from injury.

Standard 11:

The student will understand appropriate care for injuries and

sudden illness.

Standard 12:

The student will understand the appropriate action to take

when personal safety is threatened.

Substance Use and Abuse Prevention

Domain Description:

The use of chemical substances can have both benefits

and risks. Knowledge, attitudes, and personal choices can determine responsible behaviors towards the use of chemical substances, including the avoidance of alcohol and tobacco.

Standard 13:

The student will understand appropriate and inappropriate

uses of chemical substances and the effects of substance use and abuse.

Environmental and Community Health

Domain Description:

The health of the environment and community is directly

impacted by responsible individual behavior. Public health and community services are essential to promote a healthy community.

Standard 14:

The student will recognize environmental practices, products

and resources that affect personal and community health and promotes healthy living.

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