Curriculum Standards · Kansas
Kansas Health Education Standards — Curriculum Alignment
Aligned with the Kansas Model Curricular Standards for High School Health Education (2018)
Kansas Model Curricular Standards for Health Education (2018): https://www.ksde.gov/Portals/0/CSAS/Content%20Area%20(F-
L)/Health%20Education/Kansas%20Model%20Curricular%20Standards%20for%20Health%20Education%20rev110218.pdf
Kansas Health Education Standards::
Standard #1: Students will comprehend concepts related to health promotion and disease prevention to enhance health.
Standard #2: Students will analyze influences on health behaviors (including family, peer, culture, media, technology and
other factors).
Standard #3: Students will demonstrate the ability to access and analyze valid information and products and services to
enhance health.
Standard #4: Students will demonstrate the ability to use interpersonal communication skills to enhance health or reduce
health risks.
Standard #5: Students will demonstrate the ability to use decision-making skills to enhance health or reduce health risks.
Standard #6: Students will demonstrate the ability to use goal-setting skills to enhance health or reduce health risks.
Standard #7: Students will demonstrate the ability to practice health-enhancing behaviors to enhance health or reduce health
risks.
Standard #8: Students will demonstrate the ability to advocate for health.
Kansas Health Content Areas::
Community Health; Consumer Health; Environmental Health; Family Life, Relationships and Human Sexuality; Injury
Prevention and Safety; Mental and Emotional Health; Nutrition; Personal Health; Prevention and Control of Disease;
Substance Use, Abuse and Addiction
e Kansas Model Curricular Standards for Health Education (2018) were approved by the Kansas State Board of Education in
November 2018. ey are model standards: health education is non-assessed under Kansas Education Systems Accreditation (KESA), and
Kansas districts develop local curricula guided by these standards. High school alignment below uses the 9-12 grade-band benchmarks
(12.x), organized by the ten Kansas Health Content Areas as printed in the document's Content Standards for 9-12; eve benchmark falls
under the stem "e students will know, comprehend, apply, analyze, synthesize and/or evaluate:".
Community Health
| Topic | Kansas Standard | Where HET Covers It (Unit: Day) |
|---|---|---|
| Grade Level Benchmark: The students will know, comprehend, apply, analyze, synthesize and/or evaluate: | 12.1: Local community needs/issues/events | Community Health: Day 4 (Public Health Systems), Day 5 (Community data analysis). Begin a Term: Day 2 (Social Determinants). Diversity: Day 2 (Social Determinants/Barriers). End a Term: Day 1 (SDOH Scenario 6). |
| 12.2: Local/state laws, ordinances, and policies for a healthy community | Dangerous Decisions: Day 1 (Legal outcomes), Day 2 (Good Samaritan laws). Mental Health: Day 5-6 (Minor access laws). Nutrition: Day 9-10 (School food rules/Federal law analysis). Environmental Health: Day 3 (Clean Air Act/Civic action). | |
| 12.3: Value of community interactions | Empathy: Day 5 (Kindness conversations). Diversity: Day 2 (Belonging). Mental Health: Day 5-6 (Impact on individual/community). Community Health: Day 4 (Community Health Champion interview). End a Term: Day 2 (Waves of impact). | |
| 12.4: Strategies to maintain a healthy community | Community Health: Day 5 (Youth-led initiatives, Health Literacy). Mental Health: Day 9-10 (Positive culture advocacy). Conflict: Day 2 (Community accountability). Stress: Day 1-2 (Wellness Advocacy Project). | |
| 12.5: Personal service for the betterment of the community | Empathy: Day 5 (40% reduction project, Kindness project). Alcohol: Day 4 (Safe community advocacy). Drugs: Day 3 (Harm reduction leadership). Community Health: Day 5 (Youth-led initiatives). | |
| 12.6: Global health issues | Community Health: Day 4 (WHO/Global institutions). Environmental Health: Day 1-3 (Planet Guide/Scientific Data). |
Consumer Health
| Topic | Kansas Standard | Where HET Covers It (Unit: Day) |
|---|---|---|
| Grade Level Benchmark: The students will know, comprehend, apply, analyze, synthesize and/or evaluate: | 12.1: Availability and accessibility of health-care services | Mental Health: Day 1-2 (Counselors/Support groups), Day 9-10 (Therapists/Peer support). Stress: Day 3-4 (Valid points of help). Sex Education: Day 9-10 (Planned Parenthood). Community Health: Day 4 (Healthcare access barriers). |
| 12.2: Adolescent health-care products and services | Sex Education: Day 5-6 (CDC guides), Day 7-8 (Contraceptive effectiveness/PrEP, Testing bookmarks). First Aid: Day 3 (Kit research). Mental Health: Day 5-6 (Crisis Text Line). | |
| 12.3: Interpersonal and intrapersonal influences on health choices (budgeting, culture, SES, etc.) | Nutrition: Day 1-2 (Diet Culture), Day 3-4 (Food Deserts, Cultural honoring), Day 9-10 (Economic access). Diversity: Day 2 (Social Determinants/Barriers). Stress: Day 9-10 (Poverty/Discrimination). Dangerous Decisions: Day 2 (Inequality). | |
| 12.4: Characteristics of informed consumers | Nutrition: Day 5-6 (Healthwashing, Influencer claims, Registered Dietitians vs Influencers). Tobacco: Day 1 (Vape ad decoding). Diseases: Day 4 (Media Literacy). | |
| 12.5: Seek reliable advice regarding consumer health choices | Nutrition: Day 3-4 (Evaluating resources), Day 5-6 (Registered Dietitians vs Influencers). Diseases: Day 5 (Research domains). Community Health: Day 5 (Health Literacy). | |
| 12.6: Role of media in disseminating health information | Diseases: Day 4 (Media Literacy). Drugs: Day 2 (Industry marketing impact). Tobacco: Day 1 (Vape ad decoding). Mental Health: Day 1-2 (Social Media Trap). Stress: Day 1-2 (Mindfulness through Media). |
Environmental Health
| Topic | Kansas Standard | Where HET Covers It (Unit: Day) |
|---|---|---|
| Grade Level Benchmark: The students will know, comprehend, apply, analyze, synthesize and/or evaluate: | 12.1: Personal responsibility for community environmental issues | Environmental Health: Day 1 (Workplace Hazard reports), Day 2 (Environmental Racism/Systemic Redlining), Day 3 (Personal/Collective action). |
| 12.2: Reduce, reuse, recycle and alternatives | Environmental Health: Day 3 (Recycling/Composting). | |
| 12.3: Relationship between environment, disease, and health | Environmental Health: Day 1 (Air quality/health risks), Day 1-3 (Climate Anxiety/Solastalgia). Diseases: Day 4 (Social conditions), Day 5 (ZIP code). | |
| 12.4: Local, state, and global environmental issues | Environmental Health: Day 2 (Flint/Cancer Alley), Day 1-3 (Planet Guide/Scientific Data). | |
| 12.5: Laws, ordinances, and policies | Environmental Health: Day 3 (Clean Air Act/Civic action). |
Human Sexuality and Relationships
| Topic | Kansas Standard | Where HET Covers It (Unit: Day) |
|---|---|---|
| Grade Level Benchmark: The students will know, comprehend, apply, analyze, synthesize and/or evaluate: | 12.1: Adapting to changes associated with puberty | Body Systems: Day 3 (Hormonal shifts). Sex Education: Day 5-6 (Physical/Social shifts, Development/Lifespan literacy). |
| 12.2: Adapting to change within the family | Stress: Day 7-8 (Parent-Teen Communicator, Grief Map). Alcohol: Day 4 (Family addiction roles). End a Term: Day 2 (Generational cycles). | |
| 12.3: Changing responsibilities from adolescence to adulthood | Begin a Term: Day 1 (Future letter 1/5/10yr). Stress: Day 3-4 (Letter to Future Self). Sex Education: Day 5-6 (Development/Lifespan literacy), Day 7-8 (Parenting/Financial effects), Day 9-10 (Ownership/Rights). | |
| 12.4: Responsible behaviors within relationships (communication, abstinence, etc.) | Begin a Term: Day 2 (Practicing consent). Sex Education: Day 1-2 (Boundaries), Day 3-4 (Clear "No" strategies, Trust/Equality/Boundaries), Day 7-8 (Yes/No/Maybe map), Day 9-10 (Abstinence proactive choice). | |
| 12.5: Potential outcomes of sexual activity (STIs, pregnancy, etc.) | Sex Education: Day 7-8 (STI transmission, Contraceptive effectiveness/PrEP, Parenting/Financial effects). Diseases: Day 4 (STI Stigma challenge). End a Term: Day 1 (Scenario 4). | |
| 12.6: Impact of media and technology on sexual behaviors | Sex Education: Day 1-2 (Sexting consequences), Day 5-6 (Comparison culture). Dangerous Decisions: Day 3 (Sexting/Digital footprint leaks). Mental Health: Day 7-8 (Digital influence). | |
| 12.7: Laws associated with sexual behaviors (consent, harassment, assault, rape, human trafficking, etc.) | Dangerous Decisions: Day 3 (Sexting laws). Sex Education: Day 9-10 (Confidentiality/Minor access laws). Mental Health: Day 7-8 (Cyberbullying/Digital footprints). Violence: Day 5 (Bystander/Confidential reporting). End a Term: Day 1 (Digital content legalities). | |
| 12.8: Differences between individual, family, culture, community, and global values | Begin a Term: Day 1 (Intersectionality). Diversity: Day 1 (Identity), Day 2 (Cultural humility). Sex Education: Day 9-10 (Values check). |
Injury Prevention and Safety
| Topic | Kansas Standard | Where HET Covers It (Unit: Day) |
|---|---|---|
| Grade Level Benchmark: The students will know, comprehend, apply, analyze, synthesize and/or evaluate: | 12.1: Basic first aid skills | First Aid: Day 1 (3 Ps), Day 2 (ABCDE), Day 3 (R.I.C.E./FAST), Day 4 (Seizures/Asthma), Day 5 (Bleeding/Simulations). Nutrition: Day 5-6 (Allergies/EpiPen). |
| 12.2: Demonstrate and perform CPR/AED procedures according to current and nationally recognized guidelines | First Aid: Day 2 (Hands-only CPR/AED sequence, AED Locator). Alcohol: Day 1-4 (Overdose/Poisoning response). Drugs: Day 3 (Narcan administration). | |
| 12.3: Resources to prevent and avoid violence | Violence: Day 5 (Crisis lines, Protective Factors, Bystander/Confidential reporting). Conflict: Day 1-2 (Guidebooks/PSAs). | |
| 12.4: Prevention and response to physical violence (guns and/or weapons and bullying) | Violence: Day 4 (Breaking Silence, Ripple effects), Day 5 (Intervention choice). Empathy: Day 5 (40% reduction project). | |
| 12.5: Prevention and response to mental violence (bullying and abuse) | Begin a Term: Day 2 (Diamonds 3 prompt). Empathy: Day 1 (Scenario 3), Day 3 (Cyberbullying, Challenging generalizations). Mental Health: Day 7-8 (Responding to exclusion). | |
| 12.6: Prevention and response to social violence (relationships, conflict resolution, and cyber) | Conflict: Day 1 (Negotiation, Assertiveness/I-statements), Day 2 (Accountability/Repair, Power imbalances). Violence: Day 4 (Doxxing prevention). | |
| 12.7: Prevention and response to sexual violence (harassment, assault, rape, and abuse) | Violence: Day 4 (Refusal/Advocacy, Toxic masculinity/Media Literacy), Day 5 (Challenging victim-blaming, Bystander/Confidential reporting). Sex Education: Day 3-4 (Coercion distinction). | |
| 12.8: Media safety (social media, cyber, TV, music, advertising, etc.) | Mental Health: Day 1-2 (Social Media Trap), Day 7-8 (Digital Personas, Online Hygiene Plan). Dangerous Decisions: Day 1 (Law Table Item 7), Day 3 (Digital safety). Violence: Day 4 (Doxxing). End a Term: Day 1 (Online Data Scenario, Scenario 11). | |
| 12.9: Causes of conflict and non-violent conflict resolutions | Conflict: Day 1 (Background, Conflict styles, Converting accusations), Day 2 (Clarifying needs). Violence: Day 5 (NVC - Nonviolent Communication). Dangerous Decisions: Day 3 (Refusal/Negotiation skills). | |
| 12.10: Consequences of violence (school policies, laws, etc.) | Violence: Day 4 (Ripple effects). Conflict: Day 2 (Community accountability). Dangerous Decisions: Day 3 (Sexting laws). |
Mental and Emotional Health
| Topic | Kansas Standard | Where HET Covers It (Unit: Day) |
|---|---|---|
| Grade Level Benchmark: The students will know, comprehend, apply, analyze, synthesize and/or evaluate: | 12.1: Importance of expressing emotions in a productive and healthy manner | Empathy: Day 1 (Empathetic writing), Day 2 (Emotional vocabulary). Mental Health: Day 3-4 (Reacting vs Responding, Naming it to tame it). Stress: Day 3-4 ("I" statements), Day 7-8 (Journaling/Art). Self-Esteem: Day 5 (Self-expression). |
| 12.2: Mental illnesses | Mental Health: Day 1-2 (Wellness spectrum), Day 9-10 (NAMI stats). Stress: Day 3-4 (Sadness vs Clinical Depression). Diseases: Day 4 (Disorders as disease), Day 5 (Physiological impact). End a Term: Day 1 (MC 39). | |
| 12.3: Stigmas associated with mental illness | Mental Health: Day 1-2 (Breaking Stigma PSA), Day 5-6 (Planning an initiative), Day 9-10 (Positive culture advocacy). Stress: Day 5-6 (Stigma, Reducing silence). End a Term: Day 2 (Breaking cycles of silence). | |
| 12.4: Avoiding negative self-talk, self-harm, and suicide | Self-Esteem: Day 3 (Honest self-talk, Negativity bias). Mental Health: Day 5-6 (Hopelessness, Crisis plan). Stress: Day 5-6 (988, Safety Plan, Warning sign response), Day 7-8 (Suicide loss impact). End a Term: Day 1 (MC 40). | |
| 12.5: Coping skills (grief, stress, depression, bullying, anxiety, etc.) | Mental Health: Day 3-4 (Adaptive coping, Mental Health Toolbox). Stress: Day 1-2 (5-4-3-2-1), Day 7-8 (Grief Map, Processing grief), Day 9-10 (Toolkit). First Aid: Day 4 (Panic attacks/Shock, ALGEE model). | |
| 12.6: Characteristics of healthy and unhealthy relationships | Mental Health: Day 7-8 (Jealousy/Control). Sex Education: Day 3-4 (Gaslighting vs respect, Trust/Equality/Boundaries). Conflict: Day 2 (Relationship wellness, Power imbalances). | |
| 12.7: Healthy versus unhealthy body image | Self-Esteem: Day 4 (Internalized beauty, Instagram/TikTok). Sex Education: Day 1-2 (Body image), Day 5-6 (Comparison culture). Nutrition: Day 1-2 (Diet Culture), Day 3-4 (Thinness narrative harm). |
Nutrition
| Topic | Kansas Standard | Where HET Covers It (Unit: Day) |
|---|---|---|
| Grade Level Benchmark: The students will know, comprehend, apply, analyze, synthesize and/or evaluate: | 12.1: Nutritional needs through stages of development | Nutrition: Day 1-2 (Macro/Micro functions, Hunger cues), Day 7-8 (Fuel-up goal, Academic pressure). |
| 12.2: Meal planning and budgeting | Nutrition: Day 3-4 (Food Deserts), Day 7-8 (Packing snacks), Day 9-10 (SMART Power Plate meal/Plan design, Economic access). | |
| 12.3: Food safety | Nutrition: Day 5-6 (Allergies/EpiPen), Day 9-10 (Steaming/Grilling vs Frying), Day 9-10 (Food safety practices). | |
| 12.4: Nutritional value of foods | Nutrition: Day 1-2 (Macro/Micro functions), Day 5-6 (Sugar/Trans fats), Day 7-8 (Antioxidants/Fiber), Day 9-10 (Nutrient preservation). | |
| 12.5: Cultural and ethnic food choices | Nutrition: Day 1-2 (Diet Culture), Day 3-4 (Cultural honoring). | |
| 12.6: Food labels | Nutrition: Day 5-6 (Hidden Sugar Challenge, Recommended serving sizes analysis). End a Term: Day 1 (MC Question 27). | |
| 12.7: Eating disorders/dysfunctions | Nutrition: Day 3-4 (Clinical complexity of Anorexia/Bulimia, NEDA/Professional medical care, ED therapy, Supporting Diego). | |
| 12.8: Healthy eating patterns | Nutrition: Day 1-2 (Hunger cues, Hydration swap), Day 3-4 (Mindful eating), Day 5-6 (Balance survey), Day 9-10 (SMART goal plan). | |
| 12.9: Essential nutrients | Nutrition: Day 1-2 (Macro/Micro functions), Day 3-4 (Omega-3s), Day 5-6 (Sugar/Trans fats), Day 7-8 (Antioxidants/Fiber). | |
| 12.10: Performance enhancing beverages/supplements | Nutrition: Day 1-2 (Energy drink myths), Day 5-6 (Influencer claims), Day 7-8 (Energy check). | |
| 12.11: Impact of food choices | Nutrition: Day 3-4 (Intentional choice), Day 7-8 (Blood sugar/Heart health), Day 10 (Food log/MyFitnessPal expenditure tracking). |
Personal Health
| Topic | Kansas Standard | Where HET Covers It (Unit: Day) |
|---|---|---|
| Grade Level Benchmark: The students will know, comprehend, apply, analyze, synthesize and/or evaluate: | 12.1: Major body systems, anatomy, functions, relationships between systems and connection to disease | Body Systems: Day 1 (Internal Balance, Gut-brain disruption), Day 2 (Immune/Vaccine stats), Day 3 (Sperm/Egg production). Diseases: Day 5 (Physiological impact). End a Term: Day 1 (Homeostasis). |
| 12.2: Proper adolescent hygiene habits | Body Systems: Day 3 (UTIs/Hygiene). Sex Education: Day 5-6 (Self-exam guides/Cancer prevention). | |
| 12.3: Leading causes of death and risk behaviors | Dangerous Decisions: Day 1 (Risky Choices), Day 3 (Distracted driving CDC data). Diseases: Day 4 (NCD comparison, Risk assessment). End a Term: Day 1 (MC 1-3). | |
| 12.4: Traits and skills of lifelong learners | Begin a Term: Day 1 (Core Scholar, Reflection). End a Term: Day 2 (Learning stays within you, MBTI Exploration). | |
| 12.5: Components of wellness | Mental Health: Day 1-2 (5 Dimensions), Day 9-10 (Wellness Plan). Begin a Term: Day 1 (Health Mission Statement). End a Term: Day 2 (Living System). |
Prevention & Control of Disease
| Topic | Kansas Standard | Where HET Covers It (Unit: Day) |
|---|---|---|
| Grade Level Benchmark: The students will know, comprehend, apply, analyze, synthesize and/or evaluate: | 12.1: Disease prevention skills | Diseases: Day 5 (Lifestyle/Chronic prevention). Body Systems: Day 2 (Immune/Vaccine stats). Sex Education: Day 7-8 (Contraceptive effectiveness/PrEP). |
| 12.2: Common causes of diseases, illness and disorders | Diseases: Day 4 (NCD comparison, Disorders as disease, Social conditions). | |
| 12.3: Influence of heredity and diseases | Diseases: Day 5 (Family History). | |
| 12.4: Medical resources, health screenings and treatment methods for disease | Diseases: Day 5 (Research domains). Sex Education: Day 5-6 (Self-exam guides/Cancer prevention), Day 7-8 (Confidential testing advocacy, Testing bookmarks). | |
| 12.5: Relationship between lifestyle choices and disease prevention | Diseases: Day 5 (Lifestyle/Chronic prevention, ZIP code). Nutrition: Day 7-8 (Blood sugar/Heart health). Body Systems: Day 2 (Lifestyle efficiency). End a Term: Day 1 (MC Questions 11-12). | |
| 12.6: Current healthcare issues | Diseases: Day 4 (Social conditions), Day 5 (ZIP code). Community Health: Day 4 (Public Health Systems, Healthcare access barriers). |
Substance Use and Abuse & Addiction
| Topic | Kansas Standard | Where HET Covers It (Unit: Day) |
|---|---|---|
| Grade Level Benchmark: The students will know, comprehend, apply, analyze, synthesize and/or evaluate: | 12.1: Effects and consequences of nicotine use (all forms) | Tobacco: Day 1 (Prefrontal cortex effects, Stimulant, Vape ad decoding), Day 2 (Tobacco-free advocacy). |
| 12.2: Effects and consequences of alcohol use | Alcohol: Day 1 (Ethanol depressant), Day 2 (BAC limits), Day 3 (AUD chronic nature), Day 4 (Family addiction roles). Dangerous Decisions: Day 2 (Water safety/blackouts). | |
| 12.3: Effects and consequences of illegal drug use | Drugs: Day 1 (Dopamine interference, Stimulants/Opioids), Day 3 (Memory/Breathing impact, Possession/Misuse consequences). | |
| 12.4: Categories of drugs (ex. stimulants, opiates, depressants, hallucinogens, etc.) | Dangerous Decisions: Day 2 (Alcohol, Nicotine, Cannabis, Opioids). Alcohol: Day 1 (Depressant). Drugs: Day 1 (Stimulants/Opioids). Tobacco: Day 1 (Stimulant). End a Term: Day 1 (Synthetic Opioids MC 4). | |
| 12.5: Cumulative risk behaviors (patterns, gateway drugs, etc.) | Dangerous Decisions: Day 1 (Risky choice impact), Day 2 (Tolerance/Dependence). Drugs: Day 2 (Tolerance). End a Term: Day 1 (MC 1-3). | |
| 12.6: Unsafe situations involving drugs, including alcohol | Dangerous Decisions: Day 1 (Risky driving), Day 2 (Water safety/blackouts, 911/Narcan). Alcohol: Day 1-4 (Overdose/Poisoning response). | |
| 12.7: Helpful and harmful use of prescription and non-prescription drugs | Drugs: Day 3 (Narcan administration), Day 4 (Medication-Assisted Treatment). Dangerous Decisions: Day 2 (Substance impact). | |
| 12.8: Strategies to resist peer pressure to engage in substance abuse | Dangerous Decisions: Day 1 (Peer Pressure), Day 3 (Groupthink, Refusal/Negotiation skills). | |
| 12.9: Media, social influences, and societal pressure of drug usage | Tobacco: Day 1 (Vape ad decoding). Drugs: Day 2 (Industry marketing impact). Dangerous Decisions: Day 3 (PSA - challenging "cool" risk). | |
| 12.10: Rules and laws for medicines and drugs | Dangerous Decisions: Day 1 (Legal outcomes), Day 2 (Good Samaritan laws). Alcohol: Day 2 (BAC limits, Minor in Possession/Treatment access), Day 3 (Criminal records). Drugs: Day 3 (Possession/Misuse consequences). End a Term: Day 1 (Legal consequences MC 7). | |
| 12.11: Safe alternatives to medicine | Dangerous Decisions: Day 2 (Coping). Stress: Day 9-10 (Toolkit). Community Health: Day 5 (Natural remedies/Cultural healing). | |
| 12.12: Government policies and global issues in drug trends | Dangerous Decisions: Day 2 (Good Samaritan laws, Inequality). Drugs: Day 4 (Systemic inequities/Stigma). End a Term: Day 1 (Synthetic Opioids MC 4). |
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