Professional preparation of elementary teachers in Ohio: Status of K-6 health education

Improving the health status of children and youth depends to an extent on t he adequate preparation of elementary teachers to teach health education. T his survey: 1) examined the status of health education preparation that pre service elementary education majors receive from Ohio colleges and universi ties (n = 50); 2) determined the type of health education courses that Ohio colleges and universities require for elementary education majors; and 3) assessed the extent to which Ohio colleges and universities incorporate hea lth and pedagogy-related content in their courses for elementary education majors. Results showed that 40 of the 50 institutions offered a health cour se. Twelve different textbooks were used in the courses. Coverage of course content ranged from much to none for 10 survey items ranging from the Nati onal Health Education Standards to the K-6 Health Instruction Responsibilit ies and Competencies.