When will the standards be adopted?
The law requires that the State Board of Education adopt the standards by March 2008.
Who developed the standards?
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell appointed a committee of 19 individuals to draft the standards. The committee was comprised of highly qualified health educators and/or classroom teachers with experience with preschool through high school. Members reflected the diversity of California's students and the divergent content areas of health education.
How can I keep informed about the work of the standards committee?
Updates will be posted on the California Department of Education's Health Education Web site. In addition, a Listserv has been established, providing you with direct notification related to the standards. Send requests to be added to the Listserv to healthedstandards@cde.ca.gov.
After the standards are adopted, will schools be required to implement the standards?
Assembly Bill 689 specifically states that schools are not required to implement the standards.
What happens to the textbooks that we're currently considering for adoption?
The development of standards does NOT impact the currently adopted textbooks. You should continue to consider and/or use them. The standards will be incorporated into the NEXT version of the Health Framework (currently scheduled for adoption in 2010) and the subsequent textbook adoption (no earlier than 2013).
What does the law actually state?
The complete text of Education Code Section 51210.8 states:
51210.8. (a) On or before March 1, 2008, based on recommendations of the Superintendent, the State Board of Education shall adopt content standards in the curriculum area of health education.
(b) The content standards shall provide a framework for instruction that a school may offer in the curriculum area of health education. This section does not require a school to follow the content standards.
