Mandate: Rule 5-E2304 (1994) requires all schools to provide health instruction within a planned, sequential, pre-K-12 comprehensive school health education curriculum that includes the physical, mental, emotional, and social dimensions of health and well-being. The Rule defines comprehensive school health education and specifies eleven required content areas (specified under Curriculum content).

Section 402 § 38-824.02 requires public schools and public charter schools to provide health education to students in Grades Kindergarten through 8 as follows:
(1) School years 2010-2011 to 2013-2014: an average of at least 15 minutes per week or the same level of health education as provided in school year 2009-2010, whichever is greater; and (2) School year 2014-2015 and after: an average of at least 75 minutes per week.

Curriculum Content:  Rule 5-E2304 (1994) requires instruction in the following content areas of health education: HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases; Human sexuality and family; Prevention and control of disease; Nutrition and dietary patterns that contribute to disease; Tobacco, alcohol, and other drug education; Physical education; Parenting; Coping with life situations; CPR, first aid, safety; injury and violence prevention; Consumer health; and Environmental health.

DC State Board of Education adopted Health Education Standards in 2007.

State Assessment:  

Mandate: Section 402 § 38-824.02 Requires public schools and public charter schools to provide physical education as follows:

• Grades K-5: School Years 2010-11 to 2013-14: an average of at least 30 minutes per week or the same level of physical education as provided in school year and school year 2014-2014 and after, an average of at least 150 minutes per week.
  Grades 6-8: School years 2010-2011 to 2013-2014: an average of at least 45 minutes per week or the or the same level of physical education as provided in school year 2009-2010, whichever is greater, and school year 2014-2015 and after, an average of at least 225 minutes per week.
• At least 50% of physical education class time must be devoted to actual physical activity, with as much class time as possible spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity.