The Cobb County School District (District) recognizes health as a distinct discipline essential to the developmental needs of students at every educational level in their primary years through their secondary school experiences.

RULE:

Health education is an integral part of each student's total school experience and shall be maintained in compliance with state standards.

A. REQUIREMENTS:
    The District has developed and implemented an accurate, comprehensive
    health program that includes information and concepts in the following areas:
    1. Alcohol and other drug use;
    2. Disease prevention;
    3. Environmental health;
    4. Nutrition;
    5. Personal health;
    6. Sex education/AIDS education;
    7. Safety;
    8. Mental health;
    9. Growth and development;
    10. Consumer health;
    11. Community health;
    12. Health careers;
    13. Family living;
    14. Motor skills;
    15. Physical fitness;
    16. Lifetime sports; and
    17. Outdoor education.

B. INSTRUCTION:
    1. Curriculum/Participation:
    The minimum State QCC guidelines and Cobb Performance Standards for health
    education at each level will be followed. The District will provide for student
    participation in a health education program that complies with Georgia laws, rules and
    guidance.
    a. Alcohol/Drug Education:
        Each grade K-12 shall be provided annual alcohol and other drug use.
    b. Human Growth and Development:
        (1) Sex education and AIDS education shall be a part of a comprehensive health
             program;
        (2) Materials Review:
              Prior to the parent/guardian making a choice to allow his/her child or ward to
              take the specified unit of instruction, he/she should be told what instruction is
              to be provided and have the opportunity to review all instructional materials to
              be used, print and non-print (See also Rule IFAA [Textbook Selection and
              Adoption]; Rule IJK [Media Programs and Supplementary Materials Selection];
              and Rule ILD [Educational Surveys and Research].
         (3) Parent/Guardian Permission:
              (a) Prior to the beginning of sex education instruction, the school shall send
                   parents/guardians written notice of the course of study;
              (b) The parent/guardian will be provided an opportunity to review the
                   curriculum and instructional materials as provided above;
              (c) Parents/guardians who elect to allow their child to participate in the sex
                   education course of study shall return a signed permission form to the
                   school;
              (d) Students who do not return a signed permission form shall not participate in
                   the course of study but shall be provided other health related instruction.
         (4) Review Committee:
              The District shall establish a committee to review sex/AIDS education
              instructional materials and make recommendations concerning age/grade level
              use.
              (a) Materials Adoption:
                  Materials recommended by the committee shall be approved by the Board of
                  Education before implementation.
              (b) Membership:
                   1) The committee shall be composed primarily of non-teaching
                       parents/guardians who:
                       a) Have children enrolled in the District;
                       b) Who represent the diversity of the student body.
                   2) Other community representatives such as educators and health
                       professionals representatives; and
                   3) A male and female student currently enrolled in the District and
                       attending the 11th or 12th grade.
    2. Minimum Program Participation:
        a. Elementary:
            Grades K-5 shall be provided a minimum of 90 contact hours of instruction at each
            grade level K-5 in health and physical education;
        b. Middle and High:
            Grades 6-12 shall be provided the opportunity to receive health instruction.
    3. Teacher Qualifications:
        Health education instruction shall be provided by a teacher who is certified in health
        education at the level they teach (6-12).
    4. Class Size:
        Class sizes should not exceed the limits set forth in state laws, rules and guidance.
        Additionally, the District will maintain the standards set by the Southern Association
        of Colleges and Schools (SACS).

Adopted: 8/9/78
Reclassified an Administrative Rule: 9/1/04
Revised: 4/28/83; 8/8/84; 7/28/94; 7/27/06; 8/13/08