Comprehensive Health Education Standards
(Adopted 4.28.97)
(Performance Objectives Added 8.28.00)

A wealth of information has been accumulated to point to the importance of physical activity in promoting health and wellness. Evidence also indicates that habits (lifestyles) established in youth are likely to influence adult lifestyles and associated health and wellness. Physical activity, a primary risk factor for many chronic health conditions, is an integral part of comprehensive school health education but also must be promoted as an important educational goal. Meeting physical activity standards includes both promotion of physical activity among youth and promotion of lifelong physical activity that will enhance workplace skills, fitness and wellness associated with quality of life. Achieving lifetime physical activity standards results in learning real life skills. Higher order skills include decision-making and problem solving required to become informed, lifetime physical activity consumers.

Rationale for Standard 1: Students demonstrate proficiency and the achievement of higher order cognitive skills necessary to enhance motor skills.

Movement competence implies the development of sufficient ability to enjoy participation in physical activities and re-establish a foundation to facilitate continued motor skill acquisition and increased ability to engage in developmentally appropriate daily physical activities. In addition to achieving competence in a few movement forms, which increases the likelihood of lifetime activity participation, the students apply concepts from exercise science disciplines that will help them achieve independence in developing movement competence in new movement forms. The focus is on movement forms appropriate for lifetime activity involvement and the establishment of personal competence.

Rationale for Standard 2: Students comprehend basic physical activity principles and concepts that enable them to make decisions, solve problems and become self-directed lifelong learners who are informed physical activity consumers.

Accessing accurate physical activity information, products and services is important to become informed, responsible physical activity consumers.

Rationale for Standard 3: Students exhibit a physically active lifestyle.

The intent of this standard is to establish patterns of regular participation in meaningful physical activity. This standard connects what is taught in school with students’ choices for physical activity outside of school. Students are more likely to participate in physical activities if they have had opportunities to develop interests that are personally meaningful to them.

Rationale for Standard 4: Students achieve and maintain a health-enhancing level of physical fitness.

The intent of this standard is for the student to achieve a health-enhancing level of physical fitness. Students should be encouraged to develop personal fitness levels above those necessary for health-enhancement, based on unique personal needs and interests and necessary for many work situations and active leisure participation. Health-related fitness components include cardiorespiratory endurance, muscular strength and endurance, flexibility, and body composition. Expectations for students’ fitness levels should be established on a personal basis, taking into account variation in entry levels, rather than setting a single standard for all children at a given grade level.

Rationale for Standard 5: Students develop self-initiated behaviors that promote effective personal and social interactions in physical activity settings.

The intent of this standard is achievement of self-initiated behaviors that promote personal and group success in activity settings. Behaviors such as safe practices, adherence to rules and procedures, etiquette, cooperation and teamwork, ethical behavior in sports, and positive social interaction are necessary for all students to develop effective communication skills.

Rationale for Standard 6: Students demonstrate understanding and respect for differences among people in physical activity settings.

The intent of this standard is to develop respect for similarities and differences through positive interaction among participants in physical activity. Similarities and differences include characteristics of culture, ethnicity, motor performance, disabilities, physical characteristics (e.g., strength, size, shape), gender, race and socioeconomic status.

Rationale for Standard 7: Students develop behavioral skills (self-management skills) essential to maintaining a physically active lifestyle.

The intent of this standard is for students to develop an awareness of the intrinsic benefits of participation in lifelong physical activity. Physical activity can provide opportunities for enjoyment, physical fitness and personal challenge.