The relationship of changes in the School Code of Illinois and scheduling and staffing of health education in Illinois public high schools, May, 1988

The major purpose of the study was to determine if the 1985-86 changes in Section 27-5 of the Illinois School Code have influenced the scheduling and staffing of health education in Illinois public high schools. Principals were surveyed to determine if they scheduled health education (a) as a separate subject in the curriculum other than the time allotted for physical education, (b) within the time scheduled for physical education as allowed by 1985-86 changes in the School Code or (c) using some other scheduling pattern. Principals were asked also to describe any staffing changes made as a result of including health education within the time scheduled for physical education.;A questionnaire was developed and mailed to 691 principals of Illinois public high schools. A second mailing was sent three weeks after the first in order to increase the response rate. A total of 401 (58%) questionnaires were used in the data analysis.;An analysis of the data collected from the respondents supported the following conclusions: (1) 1985-86 changes in Section 27-5 of the Illinois School Code have influenced the scheduling of the required health education course. Forty-four percent of the respondents reported that they included health education within the time scheduled for physical education. (2) There were few staff changes reported by principals who indicated a scheduling change in the required health education course. (3) There was no statistical difference between the number of Class A (small) and Class AA (large) high schools that have chosen to include health education within the time scheduled for physical education. (4) Although educators with many types of academic training are teaching health education courses in Illinois public high schools, 78.6% have their highest degree in physical education, health education, or both. (5) The number of teachers who are certified in health education has improved greatly from 24% in 1975 to 87.5% in 1988.