Integrating health and education increases students' awareness about health choices. It also enhances their health and readiness to learn. Educators are aware of the impact community health has on their student population, but may be uncertain about their role in this arena or how to address very difficult public health issues. At the same time, educators are concerned about the growing reliance on testing and standards to gauge a school's success. One avenue for meeting both concerns is to incorporate public health issues and methodology into the school curriculum. Innovative, problem-based curricula can be designed to introduce public health issues and careers to students and educators. The Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD), in partnership with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, has designed a Health in Education Initiative to increase awareness of public health within the K-12 education community.
The ASCD Health in Education Initiative provides grants for projects in ten schools/districts. These grants are designed to foster an awareness of public health issues and careers among middle and high school educators and their students through the development of integrated, experiential curricula and partnerships with community-based public health entities. The projects involve students and their teachers in addressing public health issues affecting their communities, in educating school communities about those issues. Students and teachers also gain an understanding of the methods, language, skills, and careers within the field of public health.Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development; Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: employment; grant