Is Research Based and Theory Driven
Description: An effective curriculum has instructional strategies and learning experiences built on theoretical approaches (e.g., social cognitive theory, theory of planned behavior, social norms theory, and transtheoretical model) that have effectively influenced health-related behaviors among youths. The most promising curriculum goes beyond the cognitive level and addresses health determinants, social factors, attitudes, values, norms, and skills that influence specific health-related behaviors.1
Because the characteristics of effective health education curricula are based on the evaluation of curricula and are theory driven, teachers who purposely apply and incorporate the characteristics into all health education unit or lesson plans, learning activities, and assessments may help increase students’ likelihood of adopting and maintaining healthy behaviors.2
Example 1
1. Seeing an increase in teen birth rates and sexually transmitted infection (STI) rates, the school health team, consisting of health educators, school nurses, mental health providers, parents, students, administrators, and community-based organizations, decides to institute an after-school HIV/STI/pregnancy prevention program for students in grades 7 and 8.
2. The health educators, in partnership with the community-based organizations, select three potential commercial evidence-informed programs that positively affect health behaviors.
3. The school health team uses the CDC’s HECAT to select a program that best supports the needs of their students and is based on social cognitive theory and the theory of planned behavior.
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