California’s Health Education Framework was drafted as an optional guide to help educators deliver lessons tied to California’s health education standards. It was approved by the state Board of Education in May 2019.
This document has recommendations related to physical, mental, emotional and social health, but it’s not a curriculum. Think of it instead as a voluntary handbook designed to help districts and teachers develop curriculums and instruction that enable students to make healthy choices and avoid high-risk behaviors.
The framework also includes additional guidance on the California Healthy Youth Act, as well as suggestions on the use of gender-neutral and LGBT-inclusive language during health instruction. These are intended to make classroom environments more inclusive and free of bullying and harassment.
The California Department of Education appointed OCDE to facilitate the statewide committee that developed professional learning opportunities and resources for educators based on the Health Education Framework.
You can access the framework at www.cde.ca.gov/ci/he/cf/.
