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Every student, every day, is engaged in meaningful, affirming, grade-level instruction.

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In accordance with ORS 329.045, in 2023, the Oregon State Board of Education formally adopted Content Standards for Health Education.

The Oregon Health Education Standards provide a coherent set of expectations for the knowledge, skills, and practices that students will develop throughout their education. Grounded in research and informed by community input, the standards emphasize health literacy, lifelong wellness, and the knowledge and skills students need to make informed decisions, practice healthy behaviors, and contribute to safe and healthy communities.

These standards reflect Oregon’s commitment to equity, excellence, and access for every student and serve as the foundation for instruction, assessment, and high-quality instructional materials selection and implementation.

Grounded in this foundation, Oregon’s required Transformative SEL Standards and Tribal History/Shared History curriculum are integrated within Health Education Standards to create the conditions for learning and thriving and ensuring the histories, cultures, contributions, and sovereignty of Oregon’s nine federally recognized Tribal Nations are taught accurately and with integrity.

The​ Oregon Department of Education (ODE) has updated its standards using a new, consistent template designed to improve clarity, usability, and coherence across content areas.

​​We will share new resources and opportunities here. Please check back for the latest information.

Standards

Guidance & Resources

Key Resources

High-Quality Instructional Materials

Transformative Social & Emotional Learning

Mental Health Resources

Substance Use Prevention and Intervention

Comprehensive Sexuality Education

Tribal History/
Shared History

  • Oral Health Education requires that school districts provide age-appropriate oral health education aligned with state standards. The standards identify the grade levels at which oral health instruction must be offered. (ORS 336.473)
  • Organ and Tissue Donation requires that school districts must provide instruction on organ and tissue donation to students in grades 9 through 12. (ORS 336.474)
  • Prevention Education in Drugs and Alcohol (see the Substance Use Prevention and Intervention webpage) requires that districts include instruction on the effects and prevention substance use as part of a comprehensive K-12 health education program. Students in grades 9 through 12 must receive age-appropriate substance use prevention education. (ORS 336.235) (OAR 581-022-2045)
  • Fentanyl and opioid prevention supplements (see the Substance Use Prevention and Intervention webpage) requires that school districts must provide instruction on opioid and fentanyl use prevention as part of their health education curriculum. (ORS 336.246, ORS 336.222​)
  • CPR and AED Instruction requires that school districts provide instruction in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) for students in grades 7 through 12. Instruction must include hands-on CPR practice and may be provided through health or physical education courses. (ORS 336.472​)
  • Comprehensive Sexuality Education (see the Comprehensive Sexuality Education webpage) requires comprehensive sexuality education in both elementary and secondary schools. Instruction must be provided at least once annually in grades 6 through 8 and at least twice during grades 9 through 12. (ORS 336.455)
  • Healthy Teens Relationships Act (see the Comprehensive Sexuality Education webpage) requires that school districts provide annual instruction on healthy relationships, friendships, and dating for students in grades 7 through 12. (ORS 339.366)
  • Child Sexual Abuse Prevention "Erin's Law" (see the Comprehensive Sexuality Education webpage) requires that school districts provide child abuse prevention education to students in kindergarten through grade 12 through at least four instructional sessions each year. The law also includes requirements for staff training and district policies. (ORS 336.059)
  • Menstrual Dignity Act (see the Comprehensive Sexuality Education webpage) requires that districts provide menstrual products for free in all student bathrooms. OARs also require that comprehensive sexuality education include information about menstrual health that is inclusive, accessible, medically accurate, and supports positive, stigma-free learning experiences. (ORS 326.545)
  • Human Sexuality Education Rule (see the Comprehensive Sexuality Education webpage) requires that school districts must maintain a comprehensive plan for sexuality education as part of their health education program. Instruction must be age-appropriate, culturally responsive, inclusive of LGBTQ2SIA+ students, and free from fear- or shame-based approaches. The rule also outlines required content areas, including healthy relationships, consent, abuse prevention, and STI prevention. (OAR 581-022-2050​)

  • Oregon Open Learning Health Group provides free, openly licensed instructional resources that are standards-aligned.
  • OHA Student Health Survey (SHS) is a state-wide data system for collecting information from Oregon youth about their health and health behaviors. The SHS is a comprehensive, school-based, anonymous, and voluntary survey administered to students in 6th, 8th, and 11th grades across Oregon.
  • OHA Adolescent and School Health provides health educators, schools, families, and youth-serving adults with resources, programs, and partnerships that support adolescent health, well-being, school health services, and positive youth development.
  • Inclusive Practices in Health Education (SHAPE America) provides guidance and practical strategies for creating accessible, culturally responsive, and inclusive health education environments that support the diverse identities, abilities, and experiences of all students.
  • American School Health Association (ASHA) provides health educators and other school health professionals with research, professional learning, and evidence-based resources to support student health, well-being, and academic success.
  • RMC Health Resources & Tools provides health educators with skills-based teaching resources, professional tools, and Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) implementation supports to strengthen health education and promote student well-being.
  • Food Education Standards (2025 Revision) provides a framework for food and nutrition education that helps educators teach students the knowledge, skills, and behaviors needed to make informed food choices and support lifelong health and well-being.
  • ​Healthy People 2030: Social Determinants of Health​ explains how social, economic, environmental, and community factors influence health outcomes and provides a framework for educators and public health professionals to address health inequities and promote student well-being.

Professional learning opportunities will be added as they become available. Check back regularly for updates on new opportunities to learn more about supports and resources for implementing Oregon’s standards and instructional priorities.

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Contact Us

For questions about Health education, please contact us at ODE.HealthED@ode.oregon.gov