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Standards and Instruction

NYS P-12 Learning Standards by Content Area

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Health Guidance & Resources

Implementation of Standards

Guidance Document to Achieving New York State Learning Standards in Health

This guidance document provides local educational agencies with a framework for developing health curricula and implementing instructional and assessment strategies. This document is intended for use by administrators and school health education personnel. Every attempt has been made to ensure that the information and resources contained in this document reflect best practice in health education. This document is not intended as a mandate and is to be used for guidance purposes only. Any local curricula or instructional strategies developed based upon this document, in whole or in part, should be reviewed through normal district procedures and be consistent with local community values and needs. (Updated 4/25/14)

Instructional Resources

Resources for Health Education Curriculum Development

Additional Health Resources

Health Related Resources provided by the Office of SSS Health Services Website

Initiatives

Erin's Law

State and National Survey Data

New York State Youth Risk Behavior Survey

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) monitors health behaviors that contribute to the leading causes of death, disability, and social problems among youth - YRBSS | DASH | CDC.

The New York State Center for School Health (NYSCSH) is a contracted technical assistance center for the Education Department. The NYSCSH facilitates the administration of the New York State (NYS) YRBS to high schools randomly selected by the CDC in odd numbered years.

New York State School Health Profiles Survey

The CDC’s School Health Profiles (SHP) is a survey to assess school health policies and practices in schools - School Health Profiles | DASH | CDC.

The NYSCSH facilitates the administration of the NYS SHP to middle and high school principals randomly selected by the CDC  in even numbered years.  Surveyed principals are requested to provide the contact information for their lead health education teacher to complete a portion of the SHP. 

Resources

Resources developed from the New York State SHP and YRBS data can be found on the NYSCSH YRBS and SHP website.

These initiatives are supported by funding received from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

 

Mental Health

School Mental Health Education

Research has shown that the quality of the school climate may be the single most predictive factor in any school’s capacity to promote student achievement. When young people are educated about mental health, the likelihood increases they will be able to effectively recognize signs and symptoms in themselves and others and will know where to turn for help. Health education that respects the importance of mental health, as well as the challenges of mental illness, will help young people and their families and communities feel more comfortable seeking help, improve academic performance and, most importantly, even save lives. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “focusing on establishing healthy behaviors during childhood is more effective than trying to change unhealthy behaviors during adulthood.” An equally important part of this conversation is to help students identify risk and protective factors, as learning and resiliency can result in positive decision-making and life-long success, which are the primary goals of health and education.

Board of Regents Items

  • May 2018, the NYSED Board of Regents Permanently Adopted Proposed Amendments to Sections 135.1 and 135.3 of the Commissioner’s Regulations. To view the amendments, the NYS Mental Health Education Advisory Council’s Panel Presentation to the Board of Regents, the Advisory Council Membership and the twenty-six recommendations please click on the following NYS Board of Regents Mental Health Education May 2018.
  • January 2018 Proposed Amendment to Sections 135.1 and 135.3 of the Commissioner’s Regulations Relating to Mental Health Education in Schools; and the NYS Mental Health Education Advisory Council.

Department Memos

Educational Resources

Other Resources

Tick and Tick-Borne Disease

May 2018 memo announcing release of Tick and Tick-borne Disease Resource Toolkit 

Schools are encouraged to consider the inclusion of tick and tick-borne disease education within a sequential and comprehensive Pre-K through 12 health education program.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), many people do not know they are at risk each year for tick-borne illness. Each year more than 30,000 cases of Lyme disease are reported nationwide. Therefore, it is critical that students, families, communities and schools are aware of prevention strategies along with additional precautions to protect against being bitten by ticks and possibly developing a tick-borne disease. In a coordinated effort to bring more awareness, education, and knowledge to the forefront, the New York State Education Department and the New York State Center for School Health, in collaboration with the New York State Department of Health, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, New York State Library and other organizations, have developed a Tick and Tick-borne Disease Resource Toolkit and are encouraging the inclusion of tick and tick-borne disease education be considered in a sequential and comprehensive Pre-K through 12 health education program.

Toolkit includes:

  • Tick and Tickborne Disease: Prevention School Webinar; presentation can be used to educate Boards of Education, school staff, community members and secondary level students;
  • Lyme Disease and Ticks Customizable Webinar; brief customizable presentation for educators (Grades Pre-K - 6);
  • Education Strategies; sample lesson plans and resources linked to the New York Learning Standards for Health Education (Grades Pre-K – 12);
  • Infographic; prevent, identify and respond to ticks and tick disease (Grades 4-12);
  • Resources-clickable links to resources for schools, caregivers and community members;
  • Parent/guardian outdoor field trip notification; customizable sample informing parents/guardians about tick prevention and repellant application; and
  • Acknowledgement chart of reviewers.

For additional information please visit the NYS Education Department’s Office of Student Support Services and the New York State Center for School Health.