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. A school district has received a grant to purchase a new high school health education curriculum. The district forms a committee composed of health teachers, parents, school administrators, local health department health educators, high school seniors, and the health education curriculum coordinator.
2. The committee selects three health education curricula to review. The committee uses the CDC’s HECAT to help them determine which curriculum to select.
3. The committee determines that the health education curriculum it is going to select has been evaluated and has shown a positive effect on student health behaviors. In addition, the curriculum is based on the theory of planned behavior.
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