Exemplary school health education: a new charge from HOT districts

School health education is generally regarded as instructional programs for students. Such programs have limited impact, especially when the social environment is inconsistent with instructional messages. A study of Oregon school districts reveals that some school personnel have gone beyond curricula in their school education programs. Exemplary districts addressed noninstructional issues, most notably staff development programs and food service offerings. In doing so, they have changed not only the social context of the schools, but their ability to directly influence a greater number of Health Objectives for the Nation.