COD E R E D

Curriculum Content: Statute §28.002 (2003) and TAC §74.1 (2004) requires each school districtoffering K-12 to mandate a physical education curriculum. TAC §116.1 to §116.52 (1998)describe the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Physical Education.Physical Fitness Assessment: None.Asthma Awareness EducationNot specifically required.Emotional, Social, and Mental Health EducationThe Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Health Education recommends personal andinterpersonal skills be taught, including healthy expression of emotions and self-control ingrades 1-12. Stress management skills and the various aspects of mental and social health arerecommended for grades 3-10.Character Education: Statute §29.906 (2003) allows school districts to provide charactereducation programs, stressing positive character traits, using integrated teaching strategies.Teaching specific religious or political beliefs are not authorized.Nutrition EducationEducation Code §38.013 (2003) requires the agency to provide one or more coordinated healthprograms that accounts for health education, physical education and physical activity, nutritionservices and parental involvement in each school district.The Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Health Education recommends instruction innutrition that includes identifying healthy and unhealthy foods, examining food labels, andhealthy and unhealthy dietary practices be taught in grades K-6.Tobacco Use Prevention EducationTobacco use prevention education is recommended, not required. Texas Essential Knowledgeand Skills for Health Education includes this topic throughout.• STAFFRequirements for All Educators (regarding Health Topics)Professional Development: The state does not require teachers to participate in professionaldevelopment covering health education or violence prevention topics.Requirements for Health EducatorsPre-service Requirement: The minimum requirement for prospective health teachers inelementary, middle and high school grades prior to licensure is a bachelor’s degree, with anacademic major; however, health coursework is not specified. The specific details of initiallicensure are outlined in Statute §21.050 (2001).Professional Development: The state does not require health education teachers to participatein on-going professional development covering health education topics.Requirements for Physical EducatorsPre-service Requirement: None specified.Professional Development: None specified.E-95