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The Maryland Comprehensive Health Education Framework (COMAR 13A.04.18), developed by the Maryland State Department of Education, is used by Maryland school districts to develop and implement health education programs.

In Harford County Public Schools there is an Essential Curriculum for Health Education in Pre-Kindergarten through High School. The curriculum is sequential and based on the developmental level of the students. At the elementary level, the health education curriculum is implemented by the individual classroom teachers. At the secondary level, the curriculum is implemented in grades 6 through 10-12 by a health education teacher. At the high school level MSDE/COMAR requires one full credit of health education to meet graduation requirements:

  • Health I for 1/2 credit - typically in grade 9
  • Health II - Health in Action for 1/2 credit - between grades 10-12
Program Goals

The health education curriculum supports the following state goals as outlined by Maryland State Department of Education:

Health Content Concepts

The essential concepts for promotion of health and disease prevention in the regulations are: mental and emotional health; substance abuse prevention; family life and human sexuality; safety and violence prevention; healthy eating; and disease prevention and control.

Health Skills
Analyzing Influences
Students will analyze the influence of family, peers, culture, media, technology, and other factors on health behaviors
Accessing Information
Students will demonstrate the ability to access valid information, products, and services to enhance health.
Interpersonal Communication
Students will demonstrate the ability to use interpersonal communication skills to enhance health and avoid or reduce health risks.
Decision Making
Students will demonstrate the ability to use decision-making skills to enhance health.
Goal Setting
Students will demonstrate the ability to use goal setting skills to enhance health.
Self-Management
Students will demonstrate the ability to practice health-enhancing behaviors and avoid or reduce health risks.
Advocacy
Students will demonstrate the ability to advocate for personal, family, and community health.
Pre-Kindergarten - 12 Curriculum
Pre-K
Kindergarten
Grade 1
Grade 2
Grade 3
Grade 4
Grade 5
Grade 6
Grade 7
Grade 8
High School Health I
High School Health II
Family Life and Human Sexuality Unit Opt-Out

The Family Life and Human Sexuality Unit is an Opt-Out unit, per COMAR 13A.04.18, that begins in grade 5. The letters below outline the topics covered in the family life and human sexuality unit in grades 5 through high school health education. Each letter outlines the opt-out procedures for Harford County Public Schools.

Grade 5 - Family Life Opt-Out Letter English / Spanish
Grade 6 - Family Life Opt-Out Letter English / Spanish
Grade 7 - Family Life Opt-Out Letter English / Spanish
Grade 8 - Family Life Opt-Out Letter English / Spanish
High School Health I - Family Life Opt-Out Letter English / Spanish
High School Health II - Family Life Opt-Out Letter English / Spanish
Additional Resources