00:00:01:00 - 00:00:35:16 Leigh Szucs Hi. Welcome to today's webinar titled 2021 Updates to CDC's Health Education Curriculum Analysis Tool. My name is Leigh Szucs and I'm a health scientist in CDC's Division of Adolescent and School Health, known as DASH. In the last five years, I have worked on the health education and sexual health education portfolio supporting both research and practice activities in schools and school districts across the United States. 00:00:36:00 - 00:00:41:25 Leigh Szucs For today's webinar, I'm so excited to be joined by a colleague from CDC's Division of Population Health, Melissa. 00:00:42:21 - 00:01:10:19 Melissa Fahrenbruch Thanks, Leigh. And hello, everyone. I'm Melissa Fahrenbruch, Program and Professional Development Team Lead in the Healthy Schools Branch Division of Population Health and the National Center for Chronic Disease Control and Health Prevention. This presentation you will find information about the key health education and HECAT component, an Overview of HECAT's project timeline, a comparison of similar and different content found within the tool, 00:01:11:00 - 00:01:38:15 Melissa Fahrenbruch and a deep dive into chapter six: Health Topic Modules, including example updates and student level knowledge and skill expectations. Let's begin by identifying key components of health education and how the HECAT can be used to analyze curriculum. So what is the health education curriculum analysis tool? It's CDC's primary evidence informed tool for advancing health education through schools. 00:01:39:02 - 00:02:12:00 Melissa Fahrenbruch The HECAT contains process guidance, appraisal tools and resources for carrying out a clear, complete and consistent examination of commercially packaged or locally developed health education curricula. Analysis results can help school and community leaders select or develop appropriate and effective health education curricula, revise and improve locally developed curricula, strengthen the delivery of health education, and improve ability of school health educators to influence healthy behaviors and outcomes among youth. 00:02:12:27 - 00:02:56:11 Melissa Fahrenbruch The HECAT aligns with the National Health Education Standards and CDC's 15 characteristics of effective health education curriculum. The tool addresses a comprehensive array of health topics including alcohol and other drugs, food and nutrition, mental and emotional health, personal health and wellness, physical activity, safety, sexual health, tobacco, violence prevention, and comprehensive health education. HECAT has several audiences that can benefit from its content and process, including state or regional education agency staff, curriculum committees, or educators at school districts, schools or community based organizations, 00:02:56:28 - 00:03:34:06 Melissa Fahrenbruch youth serving community organizations, institutes of higher education, and other pre-service teacher training programs, and commercial curricula developers. The tool has six main chapters, including a table of contents, overview, general instructions, summary forms and scoring cards, curriculum considerations and fundamentals, and the health topic modules. Chapter one provides step-by-step guidance for conducting a health education curriculum review. It includes essential background information and instructions for using the HECAT to review and improve curriculum. 00:03:35:07 - 00:04:19:21 Melissa Fahrenbruch Chapter two guides the user in collecting descriptive information about the curriculum, including the publisher, cost, target health topic areas for adolescent populations and intended grade levels. Chapter three provides directions and customizable templates for summarizing rating scores for the appraisal of a single curriculum or comparing scores across curricula using the analysis items from multiple chapters. Chapter four provides guidance and tools to appraise the accuracy and acceptability of curriculum, content, feasibility and curriculum implementation and affordability of the curriculum materials, including cost of implementation or training. 00:04:20:21 - 00:04:52:20 Melissa Fahrenbruch Chapter five provides tools to appraise fundamental characteristics of a health education curriculum including learning objectives, teacher materials, culturally response and inclusive design, instructional strategies and materials, promotion of individual and peer norms that promote enhancing behaviors. Chapter six includes the health topic modules believed to contribute to health promoting decisions achieving health literacy, adopting health enhancing behaviors, and promoting the health of others. 00:04:53:13 - 00:05:25:18 Melissa Fahrenbruch In addition, HECAT includes appendices and a glossary. As you can see, Chapter six includes ten modules to address specific health topic curricula and comprehensive health education curricula. Each module contains a description of the health topic to be addressed, including the Healthy Behavior Outcomes, also known as HBOs. Relevant for curriculum in that topic area as well. All modules use the National Health Education Standards Core Concept Standard 00:05:25:18 - 00:06:03:25 Melissa Fahrenbruch One as the framework for analysis. This framework helps determine the extent to which the curriculum is likely to enable students' mastery of the essential knowledge and skills that promote healthy behaviors. Because school curricula must meet local community needs and conform to the curriculum requirements of the state or school district, users are encouraged to review the HBO's knowledge expectations and skill expectations before using any module to analyze a curriculum. HECAT users can add, delete, or revise items to meet community needs and curriculum requirements. 00:06:04:22 - 00:06:10:21 Melissa Fahrenbruch I will now turn it back over to Leigh to share key updates to the 2021 HECAT. Leigh. 00:06:12:10 - 00:06:48:12 Leigh Szucs Thanks, Melissa. Next, let's talk about key updates to HECAT 2021. First, let's reflect on the HECAT journey. The second iteration of HECAT was published by CDC in 2012 following the original release in 2007 and was available as PDFs on CDC's web page. In 2017, interest from subject matter experts within CDC and others in the field began for updating content of the tool and also the format in which it was accessible to the public. From those conversations and ongoing planning, 00:06:48:13 - 00:07:19:08 Leigh Szucs in 2019, CDC supported a project to digitize the existing HECAT and create an online application called HECAT Online. The online system would allow users to create collaborative teams completing health education curriculum analyses as well as developing scope and sequence resources. Also in 2019, CDC initiated a project to update content in all of HECAT's chapters, forms, and health topic modules. 00:07:19:29 - 00:07:51:04 Leigh Szucs This content revision was based on the last decade of peer reviewed science and practice based guidance in school health curricula and programing. The research synthesis and translation was conducted by subject matter experts within CDC, as well as numerous experts in the fields of adolescent and school health. In early 2021 HECAT Online was published and fully operational for public use lastly, in the fall of 2021, all content revisions were finalized and CDC launched the total updated 00:07:51:04 - 00:08:19:00 Leigh Szucs HECAT 2021 on the Healthy Youth webpage. This release also integrated new and updated content into the HECAT Online system. The updated release of HECAT now reflects both availability as an interactive online application as or as known as HECAT online, plus the content revisions applied throughout the tool. Together these significant updates that improves the quality and accessibility of the HECAT tool. 00:08:19:19 - 00:09:09:22 Leigh Szucs Remember, HECAT reflects the importance of using science to inform practice, engaging school personnel, parents, and community members in the review and selection of health education curricula. Acknowledging local authority in setting health education priorities, determining content and making curriculum selection decisions, and provides flexibility in accommodating varying community norms, priorities and curriculum needs, all with the goal of improving the health and wellbeing of school age youth. So let's briefly discuss what is the same and what is different between the 2012 and the newly released 2021 version of HECAT. Despite several revisions that we will talk about today in the new 2021 version, several things remain the same. 00:09:10:04 - 00:09:54:26 Leigh Szucs For example HECAT is still a research informed translation tool to help advance health education in schools. The revision still prioritize an organize eight step process for assessing curricula. It includes analysis forms to evaluate curriculum accessibility, acceptability, accuracy, and feasibility. The tool includes the health topic modules as well as still being free to the public. New and revised content includes new knowledge expectations for each health topic module across all grade spans, pre-K through grade 12, additional specificity to the skill expectations aligned with the National Health Education Standards 00:09:54:26 - 00:10:24:10 Leigh Szucs two through eight, new guidance on using HECAT to develop a scope and sequence for health education, criteria for assessing culturally responsive and inclusive characteristics of health education, curricula and instructional materials, as well as being available as an interactive online application, plus downloadable PDFs via the website. The updated release of HECAT 2021 last year reflects accessibility in two forms. 00:10:24:10 - 00:10:48:18 Leigh Szucs As you can see here. First, users can access the tool via PDFs available for download on CDC's healthy youth web page. Users can also use the tool as an interactive online application creating teams and and conducting analyses via HECAT online. Mel, now I'll pass it back over to you to talk about some general updates to chapters one through six. 00:10:49:25 - 00:11:28:29 Melissa Fahrenbruch Great, thanks, Leigh. HECAT's chapter one: General Instructions, reflect the following updates: New Decision Tree for Using the HECAT to help schools or school districts determine the most beneficial ways to use the HECAT. New language describing HECAT Online application and links for access. It also includes additional guidance or steps five through seven if conducting analysis using HECAT Online outlining tailored directions needed to complete curriculum analysis using the HECAT Online also. 00:11:28:29 - 00:12:11:26 Melissa Fahrenbruch HECAT's Chapter Two: General Curriculum Information includes expanded examples of specific subpopulations on item who is the intended audience? Some examples now include LGBTQ+ students, students with histories of trauma, abuse, or neglect, BIPOC students. New items was the curriculum developed or adapted with input from youth, adults, or allies of people from backgrounds that have been marginalized. Does the curriculum provide guidance about integrating health related content skills into their academic subjects? 00:12:15:12 - 00:12:56:17 Melissa Fahrenbruch HECAT chapters three and four reflect the following updates. Overall, some reforms in chapter three, also a new line for Culturally Responsive and Inclusive Characteristics Score. In Chapter four, Preliminary Curriculum Considerations, there are new questions to consider when analyzing acceptability of health education curriculum. HECAT's Chapter five, Curriculum Considerations, reflect the following updates: New criteria for analyzing curriculum's culturally responsive and inclusive characteristics, adapted from Bryan-Gooden et al. 2019 Culturally Responsive Curriculum Scorecard. 00:12:57:19 - 00:13:34:13 Melissa Fahrenbruch This assessment checklist includes key questions such as, Does the curriculum consistently incorporate diverse identities, cultures, narratives and beliefs throughout lessons, activities and assessment? Incorporate strategies to help students navigate or combat stressors and systems of oppression that negatively impact health. Feature data, scenarios, and examples that communicate positive framing of health and human development. HECAT chapter six, Overview of Modules, reflect the following updates. 00:13:35:06 - 00:13:59:18 Melissa Fahrenbruch There's an updated health topic module titled "Food and Nutrition" which was previously "Healthy Eating." A new health topic module icon incorporated throughout the chapters and modules to improve usability of the tool during curriculum review. And in the next section, thematic updates aligned to the National Health Education Standard number one. Core concepts are presented for each of the nine health topic modules. 00:14:00:22 - 00:14:04:16 Melissa Fahrenbruch Leigh, I'll turn it back over to you. 00:14:05:02 - 00:14:32:14 Leigh Szucs Thanks, Melissa. So in the next section, as was indicated, we're going to talk briefly about some updates to each of the nine topic modules. So we'll start with alcohol and other drug updates. Pre-K through 12 alcohol and other drug prevention curricula should enable students to achieve eight healthy behavior outcomes, also known as HBOs. During the content update project, one new HBO is added to this module. Use prescription and over-the-counter medications correctly. 00:14:33:05 - 00:14:55:27 Leigh Szucs Thematic updates also included revisions to "use and misuse of prescription drugs" and "short and long term effects of substance use and misuse." For example, additional details addressing the short and long term effects of substance use, including co-occurrence with other health topics such as mental and emotional health and violence prevention are now reflected. The Food and Nutrition module 00:14:55:27 - 00:15:28:00 Leigh Szucs as noted, was retitled during content updates, specifically in pre-k through 12, food and nutrition curriculum should enable students to achieve 12 healthy behavior outcomes for HBOs. No new HBOs were added to this module. Thematic updates included changes based on dietary patterns recommended to the 2020 to 2025 dietary guidelines for Americans that reflected a shift toward dietary patterns and a focus on food rather than specific macro and micro nutrients. 00:15:29:05 - 00:15:57:01 Leigh Szucs Food marketing, including broadening sources in the food marketing landscape. For example, traditional print, radio, TV campaigns, product placement in video games, as well as sponsored content on social media. In the mental and Emotional Health module, these curricula should enable students to achieve nine healthy behavior outcomes. During the content revisions, three new HBOs were added to this module, including HBO 00:15:57:01 - 00:16:29:21 Leigh Szucs three: Manage Interpersonal Conflicts in a Healthy Way, HBO seven: show acceptance of differences in others, and HBO nine: Practice Habits to Promote Mental and Emotional Well-Being. Additionally, thematic updates included emotional regulation and recognition or in alignment with leading social and emotional learning competencies across grades pre-K through 12, namely items related to acknowledging feelings and emotions, practicing self-management and regulation. In the physical activity module, 00:16:30:17 - 00:17:03:08 Leigh Szucs A pre-k through 12 physical activity curriculum should enable students to achieve seven healthy behavior outcomes for HBOs. No HBOs were added to this module. Thematic updates included minor updates to language and examples throughout, a focus in new knowledge expectations, shifting away from a focus on weight to healthy behaviors, and the addition of the concept of enjoyment as an important factor to consider when selecting appropriate physical activities for you. In the Personal Health and Wellness Module, 00:17:03:24 - 00:17:34:13 Leigh Szucs such curricula should enable students to achieve 12 healthy behavior outcomes. During the content update project, One new HBO is added to this module. HBO seven: practice behaviors that promote mental and emotional well-being. This is also an HBO that was presented and is included in the Mental and Emotional Health module. Within this specific module, thematic updates included additional attention to waterborne illness as well as hand hygiene, cleaning and disinfecting. 00:17:35:10 - 00:18:04:15 Leigh Szucs The COVID-19 pandemic has increased attention to hand-washing, cleaning, and disinfecting, and additions to this module will reflect an increased focus on prevention strategies to mitigate disease risk across all grades pre-K through 12. In the safety module curricula should enable students to achieve eight healthy behavior outcomes. However, during the content revisions, no new HBOs were added. Thematic updates included stronger alignment with one of the existing HBOs, 00:18:04:16 - 00:18:34:27 Leigh Szucs number eight, support others to avoid risk behaviors and be safe. Information about protective gear and motor vehicle safety, and influences of communication technology. Specifically, items about the role and influence of communication technology such as social media on safety outcomes and experiences for young people. In the sexual health module, these curricula should enable students to achieve ten healthy behavior outcomes. During updates, two new HBOs were added: 00:18:35:06 - 00:19:11:17 Leigh Szucs HBO one, recognize developmental changes experienced by self and others during childhood and adolescence, and HBO four, give and received consent in all situations. Thematic updates also included improved inclusivity related concepts and, terms, human sexual development items related to sexual reproductive anatomy including menstruation conception, sexual response cycle, hormones, and pleasure beginning in secondary grades, as well as additional information related to STI, HIV and unintended pregnancy prevention. 00:19:12:16 - 00:19:41:08 Leigh Szucs In the Tobacco Module, we see that curricula should enable students to achieve five healthy behavior outcomes. During content revisions no new HBOs were added. However, thematic updates did include additional emphasis on e-cigarettes and vaping, secondhand smoking and use of aerosols, as well as review of all indicators to improve and incorporate health disparities perspectives. Specifically addressing tobacco use and access for minoritized youth, 00:19:41:21 - 00:20:18:24 Leigh Szucs in addition to broader economic impacts on industry marketing and influence. In the violence prevention module, in a pre-K-12 violence prevention curriculum, students should be able to achieve five healthy behavior outcomes. During content revisions however, no new HBOs were added. Thematic updates did include stronger identification of the intersection of violence prevention with other health topics as well as incorporate incorporating consent based language and concepts throughout modules, while also maintaining developmental appropriateness across the grade spans. 00:20:20:07 - 00:20:52:12 Leigh Szucs So far, we've discussed content updates across the nine health topic modules specific to the National Health Education Standard One or core concepts. However, HECAT also includes guidance for assessing health education curricular content aligned with the National Health Ed Standards two through eight, which include the skills based standards. Next, I'll talk briefly about some updates that were applied, again, to those standards two through eight across all topic modules used in HECAT. 00:20:52:14 - 00:21:23:22 Leigh Szucs There were limited revisions to these standards 2 through 8, but we do see three primary updates that were applied universally. One aligned terms used in the National Health Education Standard one or concept updates across modules. Additional examples in the skill expectations were added to help students build mastery across topic areas and grade spans, as well as updated terms to promote developmental appropriateness for skill processes. 00:21:24:24 - 00:21:55:16 Leigh Szucs The final section of HECAT included some key updates to the appendices, which I will talk about briefly. HECAT 2021 includes eight appendices that provide supporting materials to help conduct systematic analysis of health education curriculum. Notable updates across these appendices included Appendix three: HECAT healthy behavior outcomes for grades pre K through 12. This new appendix displays all of the healthy behavior outcomes by topic area in one convenient location. 00:21:56:20 - 00:22:22:06 Leigh Szucs Appendix five, using the HECAT to develop a scope and sequence for health education was newly added, and talks about the similarities and differences between the scope and sequence and a pacing guide, both key curriculum resources. This appendix also provides guidance on using the HECAT Online web application, complete scope and sequences, as well as includes an example of a sexual health group and sequence template for group six through twelve. 00:22:23:05 - 00:22:46:10 Leigh Szucs Lastly, Appendix eight, Health Education Improvement Plan Template, was merely added to help users record planned action steps following curriculum analysis tasks. This was adapted for CDC's 2017 School Health Index, The self-assessment implementing guide resource. And with that, I'll turn it back over to Mel to talk about some supporting resources. 00:22:47:00 - 00:23:30:17 Melissa Fahrenbruch Thanks, Leigh. To a company the HECAT, CDC created a new fact sheet detailing the tools core features and forms, intended audiences, and information on how to access HECAT online or obtain a copy for use. To learn more about HECAT features, forms, updates, and how to use HECAT Online, checkout CDC's HECAT FAQs page. Everything presented in today's webinar can be found on CDC's Healthy Youth Web page additionally, CDC's "Tools for Healthy Schools" offers an e-learning training series about HECAT that overviews key features of the tool and how it can be used. 00:23:31:05 - 00:23:47:28 Melissa Fahrenbruch Both web pages and training series offer information about using the HECAT. Check them out today. Now that we've covered HECAT resources and updates, it's time to check your knowledge. Knowledge Check: 00:23:48:11 - 00:24:27:29 Leigh Szucs Which HECAT health topic module did not include a content update to the National Health Education Standard One: Core Concepts? Was it mental and emotional health, alcohol and other drugs, sexual health, or all health topic modules have updated content aligned with National Health Education Standard One: Core Concepts? The correct answer is D, the HECAT 2021 revisions included updated content in all nine health education topic modules aligned with the National Health Education Standard One: Core Concepts. 00:24:28:25 - 00:25:16:00 Leigh Szucs Where can school and school district leaders go to learn more about using HECAT Online to create a health education scope and sequence? Select all that apply: is it HECAT chapter One, HECAT chapter Six, HECAT Appendix Five, or HECAT Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)? The correct answers are HECAT chapter one, HECAT chapter six, and HECAT Frequently Asked Questions. In multiple places throughout the tool, interested users can learn about the HECAT Online system, including all of the forms and functions, as well as detailed instructions for completing a health education spoken sequence. 00:25:16:11 - 00:25:17:26 Leigh Szucs Check out this new guidance today. 00:25:20:13 - 00:25:31:26 Melissa Fahrenbruch This concludes our webinar overviewing CDC's HECAT. If you have questions or need additional assistance, please reach out to CDC. Thank you and be well.