Health Education & Physical Education Standards
The Health Education and Physical Education Standards and performance expectations represent the essential knowledge and skills students need to be healthy individuals and lifelong learners. Being a lifelong learner involves the awareness and understanding of health and physical literacy. "Personal health literacy is the degree to which individuals have the ability to find, understand, and use information and services to inform health related decisions and actions for themselves and others" (US CDC). "Physical literacy is the ability to move with competence and confidence in a wide variety of physical activities in multiple environments that benefit the healthy development of the whole person" (SHAPE America). Social and emotional learning is naturally embedded in both health education and physical education. Students participate in an inclusive learning environment that values the interests of all Maine children through opportunities to learn and practice social and emotional skills and behaviors. Through achievement of the Health Education and Physical Education Standards, students will practice an active and balanced approach to life, take responsibility for their own wellness, and contribute to the health and well-being of their own community.
Highly effective health education programs provide students with knowledge and the skills to thrive physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially across their lifetime. Health education can assist students to be better consumers of information, manage the complex world around them, and be more inclusive of others. Through an effective skills-based health education curriculum, students will practice skills that protect, promote, and enhance lifelong health.
2022 Revised Maine Learning Results — Health Education Standards
Health Education and Physical Education Standards (April 2022)
2022 Maine Learning Results Resources
Terms & Definitions for Health Education
- Health Education Standards
- Health Education and Physical Education Standards and Resources
- §4711. Elementary Course of Study, Mental Health and Reducing Stigma
- §4712. Junior High or Middle School Course of Study, Mental Health and Reducing Stigma
- §4723. Health and Physical Education Including Affirmative Consent
- §4502. School Approval Requirements 5-b: Suicide Awareness Education and Training
- §4502. School Approval Requirements: Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Education and Response
- §6304. Automated External Defibrillators and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
- §6671. Youth Mental Health First Aid Training
- §1902. Definitions, 1-A: Maine Comprehensive Family Life Education
- §272. Tobacco Prevention and Control Program
The Guiding Principles guide education in Maine and should be reflected throughout the Health Education curriculum. See the Examples of Evidence of Health Education in the Guiding Principles for examples of how students can demonstrate their learning.
University Programs
- University of Maine at Farmington
- Southern Connecticut State University — M.S.
- University of New Hampshire
- Advocacy Resources for School Health Education
- American School Health Association (ASHA) Advocacy
- SHAPE America Advocacy
- Appropriate Practices in School-Based Health Education
- What is Health Literacy? (SHAPE America)
- Improving School Health (US CDC Healthy Schools)
- Health and Academics (US CDC Healthy Schools)
- Parents/Caregivers for Healthy Schools (US CDC Healthy Schools)
- School Health as a Strategy to Improve Both Public Health and Education (Journal Article)
- Acknowledgments
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The Maine Department of Education would like to thank all of the educators who contributed to the development of the Health Education and Physical Education webpages for the implementation of the newly revised Health Education and Physical Education Maine Learning Results, as well as many of the tools and resources found on these pages.
- Denise Allen — Health Education Teacher, Greely High School
- Erin Bjorkdahl — Health Education Teacher, Bonny Eagle High School
- Caroline Bochtler-Labrie — Health Education Teacher, Leavitt High School
- Karyn Bussell — Health Education Teacher, Skowhegan Middle School
- Nicole Carrera Sirois — Health Education Teacher, Cape Elizabeth High School
- Liz Connell — Health and Physical Education Teacher, Sebago Elementary School
- Darcy Goulet — Physical Education Teacher, Noble High School
- Carolyn Gross — Physical Education Teacher, Maranacook High School
- Jake Kulaw — Health Education Teacher, Deering High School
- Kayla McGee — Health Education Teacher, Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School
- Jennifer Pinette — Health and Physical Education Teacher, Sanford Middle School
- Noah Morang — Health and Physical Education Teacher, Ridge View Community School
- Clairlynn Rountree — Health Education Teacher, Brunswick Middle School
- Miranda Wakefield — Health Education Teacher, Noble High School
Links to organizations and resources are for reference and information only and do not imply endorsement by the Maine Department of Education.
Contact
Susan Berry
Health Education and Health Promotion Specialist
Phone: 207-215-1844
Email: susan.berry@maine.gov
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