The standards for health education shall be age-appropriate, medically accurate and evidence-based and shall, at a minimum, provide for instruction in the following areas: growth and physical development, physical activity and fitness, nutrition and wellness , human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immune deficiency syndrome education, reproduction and  sexual health, mental health, family life, interpersonal relationships, disease prevention and control, safety and injury prevention, tobacco, alcohol, and other substance use and abuse prevention, violence prevention, including teen dating violence, bullying prevention, conflict resolution, ecological health, health disparities and community and public health.

This legislation would require comprehensive health education, including sex education, to be taught in Massachusetts’ public schools.  Currently, there is no state requirement for health education and no dedicated or prioritized funding for health education.  This bill would require that health education be required for grades K-12 (either as a stand-alone class or integrated into existing health, physical education, science, or other related wellness activities).  We also recommend requiring schools to conduct fitness assessments, as is currently done in several other states. 

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