The Process
The National Consensus brings together health education leaders and related experts from local, state, and national levels who work collaboratively on products. We value diverse representation in everything we do. Draft products undergo rigorous reviews from internal Consensus groups and the health education field at large. All work is undertaken in accordance with the Code of Ethics for the Health Education Profession.
Model Guidance
The NationalConsensus develops model guidance and other resources for educators interested in quality school health education within the framework of the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child model. Our products are available for use without cost (with attribution).
In the United States, local school districts and state education agencies have the authority to develop their own standards for health education curriculum and instruction. The Consensus respects those responsibilities. We provide model guidance for their consideration that is based on the best contemporary evidence and practice from the field of health education. We encourage modifications to address local needs.
The 2022 National Health Education Standards are designed to continue and build on the legacy of collaboration of national professional organizations that developed both the National Health Education Standards: Achieving Health Literacy (Joint Committee on National Health Education Standards, 1995) and National Health Education Standards: Achieving Excellence (Joint Committee on National Health Education Standards, 2007). Numerous leaders from both previous processes led and served in the National Consensus Development Group and Review Group.
The 2022 Standards were developed using a rigorous and representative process:
- Development Group Work: The National Consensus Development Group met numerous times over a period of several months to guide the development process. A subcommittee of leaders from the Development Group created a first draft for Development Group consideration following these discussions.
- First Round Review: Once the draft was ready for initial consideration, the Development Group and Review Group both provided comments. During this round of internal review, 56 individuals provided comments.
- Second Round (Field) Review: After consideration of first round comments and a revision process, a second draft was shared with the broader health education field. Each of the six founding national organizations shared the draft with their members and organization partners. During the field review, 516 unique individuals provided comments on the draft Standards. Health education experts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also provided technical advice.
- Third Round Review: After a revision and reconciliation process driven by Second Round comments, the Development Group and Review Group held another round of review to consider modifications driven from the previous two rounds of comments. Health education professionals from CDC provided technical advice.
- Final Review: A final round of internal review was held to polish the document and consider dissemination.
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