June 21, 201
Subject: CDC Releases Updated Health Education Curriculum Analysis Tool (HECAT 2012)
The CDC’s Division of Adolescent and School Health (DASH) is pleased to announce the release of the updated
Health Education Curriculum Analysis Tool (HECAT). The HECAT helps school districts, schools,
and others conduct a clear, complete, and consistent analysis of health education curricula based on the
National Health Education Standards and CDC’s
Characteristics of an Effective Health Education Curriculum.
The HECAT results can help schools select or develop appropriate and effective health education curricula and improve the delivery of health education. The HECAT can
also be customized to meet local community needs and conform to the curriculum requirements of the state or school district.
HECAT 2012
includes —
·
Updated content across all health topic modules to reflect current science and health education practices.
·
Simplified scoring of curricula.
·
Updated formatting, layout, and appearance to improve readability and navigation.
·
Combined health topic module items to analyze a comprehensive health education curriculum.
The HECAT 2012 continues to support —
·
Using science to improve learning across multiple health topics, including alcohol and other drugs, healthy eating, mental and emotional health, personal health and wellness,
physical activity, safety, sexual health, tobacco, and violence prevention.
·
Using the National Health Education Standards and other practices that guide health education curriculum and instruction in public schools.
·
Applying a systematic process to the review of curricula and the improvement of curricula selection or development.
·
Engaging school personnel, parents, and community members in the review and selection of curricula.
·
Acknowledging local authority in setting health education priorities, determining health education content, and selecting curricula.
·
Providing flexibility to accommodate different values, priorities, and curriculum needs of communities and schools.
To download this free, online tool in PDF format, please visit CDC’s Healthy Youth Web site at
www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/HECAT/index.htm.
For more information on the Division of Adolescent and School Health: