Trends in Professional Development for and Collaboration by Health Education Teachers—41 States, 2000‐2010

Abstract

BACKGROUND Professional development (PD) and collaboration help ensure the quality of school health education. The purpose of this study was to examine trends in the percentage of lead health education teachers (LHETs) receiving PD on health topics and collaborating with other school staff on health education activities. METHODS This study analyzed representative data from 41 states participating in School Health Profiles surveys between 2000 and 2010. Logistic regression examined linear trends in the percentage of LHETs who received PD on 12 topics and who collaborated on health education activities. RESULTS Significant increases in the percentage of LHETs receiving PD on nutrition and physical activity and significant decreases in the percentage of LHETs receiving PD on alcohol- and other drug-use prevention and human immunodeficiency virus prevention were seen. Significant increases in the percentage of LHETs who collaborated with physical education staff and nutrition services staff were seen in 29 and 39 states, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Although 10-year increases in PD and collaboration in the areas of nutrition and physical activity are encouraging, PD and collaboration in other topic areas still need improvement. These results will help states target more resources toward PD and collaboration in areas where they have been decreasing.

Professional Development on Sexual Health Education Is Associated With Coverage of Sexual Health Topics

“…Those who teach health education topics are more effective if they have up-to-date knowledge of specific health education topics and the skills needed to engage students (Brener, McManus, Wechsler, & Kann, 2013; Kann, Telljohann, & Wooley, 2007). Teachers can gain this expertise through preservice training (e.g., a degree in health education or certification as a health education specialist) or through professional development (PD; Brener, McManus, Wechsler, & Kann, 2013). PD may increase a teacher’s confidence in teaching, and may provide opportunities for teachers to learn more innovative techniques for engaging students.…”

Fidelity of Implementation of Train-the-Trainer Methodology for Delivery of a Preschool Nutrition and Physical Activity Curriculum

“…Those teachers who had greater interest in the material may have shown greater interest and involvement in the material. Others have documented this phenomenon that a greater interest in the material by the teacher may lead to children having a greater interest in the material (Brener et al, 2013;Lavin, 1993). It also has been documented that teachers with greater job satisfaction (Dinc & Kocyigit, 2017) and greater academic achievement (Uyar et al, 2018) have a greater commitment to teaching.…”

“…Research has shown that teachers are more likely to teach a subject if they have a background in the subject. For example, if a person has a physical activity background or instruction on how to incorporate movement into the classroom, they are more likely to teach that subject compared to others (Brener et al, 2013).…”

Trends in Asthma‐Related School Health Policies and Practices in the US States *

“…Profiles is a surveillance system developed by CDC 17,18 to assess school health policies and practices in states, large urban school districts, and US territories. Profiles surveys are conducted every 2 years by education and health agencies among middle and high‐school principals and lead health education teachers (LHETs).…”