Using the Health Education Curriculum Assessment Tool (HECAT) in Review of Health Curriculum

In this research project, my honors student began reviewing literature on the importance of health literacy in developing health promotion behaviors in children and adolescents. We then shifted focus to the curriculum in the state of OH and the insufficient requirements that are in place. Instead of shaping curricular policy, our focus moved to improving stand alone health programs that are often used IN schools to supplement the health curriculum and incorporate math, science and reading. One program surfaced that is used in CMSD (as well as many schools nationally) and is undergoing content review. VeggieU is a national nutrition and science based program that is designed for kids in grade 3. In this program the children use basic science to learn about health, nutrition, responsibility, communication and behavior improvement. We compared the curriculum of this program with the HECAT and provided curricular recommendations to help the program meet the recommended guidelines and national health education standards as set forth by the CDC Division of Adolescent School Health. This curriculum now contains all elements of an "effective health education curriculum."