Health Requirements
Health Education is mandated by the Annotated Code of Maryland. Code
of Maryland Regulation guides Health Education program development and
implementation. It provides guidance regarding content, topics, selection
of instructional materials, and teacher qualifications.
Mandate: Section §7-401
of the Education Article, Annotated Code of Maryland (1978) mandates
that each county board of education, with the assistance of the county
health department, shall establish a school health program that includes
school health services, health education, and healthful school environments.
Health Education is also addressed in §2-205,
§7-407,
§7-409,
and §7-411
of the Maryland Code.
Code of Maryland Regulation 13A.04.18.01
(1990) mandates that students in grades K-8 shall receive instruction
in comprehensive health education each year. Regulation 13A.03.02.03
(1985) requires high school students to complete ½ credit of
health coursework among 21 credits needed to graduate.
Curriculum Content: Required goals and sub-goals for a skills-based
comprehensive health education program are detailed in Regulation 13A.04.18.02
(1994). Maryland also reports that it has a voluntary state curriculum
for health education, which addresses content and will be included in
the National Assessment Project.
HIV Education: Regulation 13a.04.18.04.htm
mandates HIV/AIDS Prevention Education within specific grade spans and
as part of a Comprehensive Health Education Program. It details content,
resource selection, and professional development requirements.
State Assessment: None.