Section 216-RICR-20-10-4.5 - Administration of the Health Education ProgramA. Health education is required for grades K through twelve (12) in all schools. The health education program (curriculum and personnel) of non-public schools will be approved by RIDE if deemed substantially equivalent.B. Pursuant to the provisions of R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-1-5(14), RIDE in conjunction with RIDOH will provide guidance and technical assistance in the development and adoption of school health education curricula.C. The administrative head of school(s) is required to designate a certified health educator to administer the health education program.D. Pursuant to the RIDE certification requirements in 200-RICR- 20-20-1, Regulations Governing the Certification of Educators in Rhode Island and the provisions of this Part, teachers providing health education shall consist of: 1. At the secondary level: certified school nurse-teachers, health and physical education teachers or health educators, all of whom must hold appropriate certification as health educators in accordance with the 200-RICR- 20-20-1, Regulations Governing the Certification of Educators in Rhode Island.2. At the elementary level: certified school nurse-teachers, health and physical education teachers or health educators, all of whom must hold appropriate certification as health educators in accordance with the 200-RICR- 20-20-1, Regulations Governing the Certification of Educators in Rhode Island, or any certified elementary teacher.E. Health education instruction must comply with the Comprehensive Health Instructional Outcomes incorporated at § 4.2(B) of this Part, which conforms to the statutory provisions of R.I. Gen. Laws § 35-4-18, the curriculum requirements of RIDE, and other statutory and regulatory requirements of this Part.F. Health education instruction and materials must be age-appropriate for use with students of all races, genders, sexual orientations, ethnic and cultural backgrounds, and students with disabilities.G. All students in K through twelve (12) attending schools, are required to receive instruction in health and physical education as prescribed and approved by RIDE, for periods which shall average at least twenty (20) minutes in each school day in accordance with the provisions of R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 16-22-4 and 16-1-5(14). 1. Recess, free play, and after-school activities shall not be construed as physical education.2. Exemption from the requirements of § 4.5(G) of this Part is pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-100-3(d).H. No non-public instruction will be approved by any school committee for the purposes of R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 16-19 as substantially equivalent to that required by law for a student attending a public school in the same city and/or town unless instruction in health and physical education similar to that required in public schools is given.I. Planned and ongoing in-service programs are required to update health educators and other relevant personnel in their knowledge of health and teaching skills, and to obtain their input regarding health curriculum, assessment and improvement. These must be consistent with the provisions of R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 35-4-18, 16-1-5(14), 16-22-12, 16-22-14, and 16-22-24 pertaining to substance abuse, alcohol, suicide prevention and mental health services, teen dating violence, and such other relevant laws.J. Provisions must be made for participation by representatives from parent groups, community agencies, professional organizations, health agencies, business, educational institutions and other groups, to actively involve them in the planning and the implementation of the health education program.K. Teaching methods and learning materials must be consistent with the mandated health instructional outcomes of § 4.7 of this Part, and available to health educators and students in the classroom.216 R.I. Code R. 216-RICR-20-10-4.5
Amended effective 4/11/2022