California Health Education and TUPE
The Health Education Content Standards for California Public Schools, Kindergarten through Grade twelve, provide guidance on the essential skills and knowledge that students should have at each grade level across six health education content areas, one of which is Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs. This content area overlaps considerably with TUPE program efforts.
California students learn skills identified in the Standards to increase their
Health Literacy, defined by the World Health Organization as the
cognitive and social skills that determine the motivation and ability of individuals to gain access to, understand, and use information in ways that promote and maintain good health.
The Standards include skill development in the following areas: analyzing influences, accessing accurate information, interpersonal communication including refusal skills, decision making, goal setting, practicing health-enhancing behaviors, and health promotion/advocacy. Educators charged with implementing TUPE programs can consult the Standards to ensure they are supporting the knowledge and skill development of students.