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 primary school receives funding to buy a health education curriculum. The principal forms a committee representing classroom teachers, other school personnel (e.g., health teachers, nurses, social workers, counselors, and administrators), parents, and community health partners (e.g., public health, county extension, faith leaders, and medical personnel) to select a health education curriculum.
  2. The committee receives professional development related to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) characteristics of an effective health education curriculum to guide their selection of a health education curriculum.
  3. The committee selects a curriculum that includes teacher guides, student materials, and related materials specific for students in kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd grade.
    1. The curriculum is based on the social cognitive theory and social norms theory, which focus on helping students develop health-enhancing attitudes and norms as well as confidence to apply functional health knowledge and health-related skills to engage in healthy behaviors.
    2. Additionally, the curriculum is evaluated and found to positively affect students’ health-related behaviors.
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