Texas K–6 health standards
Texas writes its own health standards. They are published as Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Health Education, adopted 2020 and are not a version of a national framework. Every one is matched to a national standard.
- Framework
- Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Health Education
- Adopted
- 2020
- Source last checked
- July 22, 2026
364 standards, kindergarten through 6th grade
- K.1K
- K.2.AK
The student understands health literacy, preventative health behaviors, and how to access and evaluate health care information to make informed decisions. The student is expected to: name people who can provide health care guidance such as parents, family members, trusted adults, teachers, and health care professionals;
- K.2.BK
The student understands health literacy, preventative health behaviors, and how to access and evaluate health care information to make informed decisions. The student is expected to: identify personal hygiene and health habits that help individuals stay healthy such as hand washing and brushing teeth;
- K.2.CK
The student understands health literacy, preventative health behaviors, and how to access and evaluate health care information to make informed decisions. The student is expected to: discuss ways in which germs are transmitted, methods of preventing the spread of germs, and the importance of immunization; and
- K.2.DK
- K.3.AK
- K.3.BK
- K.3.CK
- K.3.DK
- K.3.EK
- K.3.FK
- K.4.AK
- K.4.BK
- K.5K
- K.6.AK
- K.6.BK
- K.6.CK
- K.6.DK
- K.7.AK
- K.7.BK
- K.8.AK
- K.8.BK
- K.9.AK
- K.9.BK
The student differentiates between healthy and unhealthy relationships and demonstrates effective strategies to address conflict. The student is expected to: identify and role play refusal skills such as saying "no" to protect personal space and to avoid unsafe situations and practice telling a parent or trusted adult if threatened; and
- K.9.CK
- K.10.AK
- K.10.BK
- K.11K
The student understands how to be a safe and responsible citizen in digital and online environments. The student is expected to identify situations when one should get help from a teacher, parent, or trusted adult when made to feel bullied, uncomfortable, or unsafe in a digital or online environment.
- K.12.AK
- K.12.BK
- K.12.CK
- K.12.DK
- K.13.AK
- K.13.BK
- K.14K
The student understands how various factors can influence decisions regarding substance use and the resources available for help. The student is expected to role play refusal skills and how to get help from a parent or trusted adult in unsafe situations involving the use or misuse of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs.
- 1.11
- 1.2.A1
The student understands health literacy, preventative health behaviors, and how to access and evaluate health care information to make informed decisions. The student is expected to: identify types of health care professionals and describe the services they provide such as medical checkups, dental exams, and vision and hearing screenings;
- 1.2.B1
The student understands health literacy, preventative health behaviors, and how to access and evaluate health care information to make informed decisions. The student is expected to: describe personal hygiene and health habits that enhance individual health such as personal hygiene, oral hygiene, and getting enough sleep;
- 1.2.C1
The student understands health literacy, preventative health behaviors, and how to access and evaluate health care information to make informed decisions. The student is expected to: describe ways in which germs are transmitted, methods of preventing the spread of germs, and the importance of immunization; and
- 1.2.D1
The student understands health literacy, preventative health behaviors, and how to access and evaluate health care information to make informed decisions. The student is expected to: describe where head lice and biting insects that may cause illness, including ticks and mosquitos, are commonly encountered and how to avoid them.
- 1.3.A1
- 1.3.B1
- 1.3.C1
- 1.3.D1
- 1.3.E1
- 1.3.F1
- 1.3.G1
- 1.3.H1
- 1.4.A1
- 1.4.B1
- 1.5.A1
- 1.5.B1
- 1.5.C1
- 1.6.A1
- 1.6.B1
The student identifies and explains healthy eating strategies for enhancing and maintaining personal health throughout the lifespan. The student is expected to: identify recommended portion sizes by comparing portions to familiar objects such as a golf ball for a cookie or a frisbee for a dinner plate;
- 1.6.C1
- 1.6.D1
- 1.71
The student obtains, processes, and understands basic physical activity and nutrition information needed to make health-promoting decisions. The student is expected to identify examples of health information provided by various media and how the examples affect nutritional habits and physical activity.
- 1.8.A1
- 1.8.B1
- 1.9.A1
The student identifies and demonstrates safety and first aid knowledge to prevent and treat injuries. The student is expected to: discuss and demonstrate strategies to keep self and others safe by staying away from dangerous situations and reporting to a parent or trusted adult or contacting 911; and
- 1.9.B1
- 1.10.A1
- 1.10.B1
- 1.11.A1
- 1.11.B1
- 1.121
- 1.13.A1
- 1.13.B1
- 1.13.C1
- 1.13.D1
- 1.14.A1
- 1.14.B1
The student understands the difference between the use and misuse of different substances and how the use and misuse of substances impacts health. The student is expected to: identify and describe the harmful effects of alcohol, tobacco, other drugs, and dangerous substances such as inhalants, vaping products, and household products on physical health.
- 1.151
- 1.161
- 1.171
- 2.12
- 2.2.A2
The student understands health literacy, preventative health behaviors, and how to access and evaluate health care information to make informed decisions. The student is expected to: describe the importance of individual health maintenance activities such as regular medical checkups, dental exams, and vision and hearing screenings;
- 2.2.B2
- 2.2.C2
- 2.2.D2
The student understands health literacy, preventative health behaviors, and how to access and evaluate health care information to make informed decisions. The student is expected to: explain ways in which germs are transmitted, methods of preventing the spread of germs, and the importance of immunization;
- 2.2.E2
- 2.2.F2
The student understands health literacy, preventative health behaviors, and how to access and evaluate health care information to make informed decisions. The student is expected to: discuss the signs and symptoms of illness that may occur after contact with biting insects, including ticks and mosquitos.
- 2.3.A2
- 2.3.B2
- 2.3.C2
- 2.3.D2
- 2.3.E2
- 2.3.F2
- 2.3.G2
- 2.3.H2
- 2.4.A2
- 2.4.B2
- 2.4.C2
- 2.5.A2
- 2.5.B2
- 2.6.A2
- 2.6.B2
- 2.6.C2
- 2.6.D2
The student identifies and explains healthy eating strategies for enhancing and maintaining personal health throughout the lifespan. The student is expected to: identify the benefits of making healthy beverage choices, including water and milk, and limiting sweetened beverages such as soda and sports drinks.
- 2.72
The student obtains, processes, and understands basic physical activity and nutrition information needed to make health-promoting decisions. The student is expected to identify various media that provide health information and how media can influence an individual's health choices such as television advertisements for fast foods and breakfast cereals.
- 2.8.A2
- 2.8.B2
- 2.92
- 2.10.A2
- 2.10.B2
The student differentiates between healthy and unhealthy relationships and demonstrates effective strategies to address conflict. The student is expected to: discuss the importance of telling a parent or trusted adult when privacy or personal boundaries are not respected or when the student is made to feel unsafe.
- 2.11.A2
- 2.11.B2
- 2.11.C2
- 2.12.A2
- 2.12.B2
- 2.12.C2
- 2.13.A2
- 2.13.B2
- 2.13.C2
The student understands the impact of interpersonal violence and the importance of seeking guidance and help to maintain personal safety. The student is expected to: explain why obtaining assistance, especially from parents or trusted adults, can be helpful when making decisions about personal safety.
- 2.14.A2
- 2.14.B2
The student understands the difference between the use and misuse of different substances and how the use and misuse of substances impacts health. The student is expected to: explain the harmful effects on physical health and how to avoid alcohol, tobacco, other drugs, and dangerous substances such as inhalants, vaping products, and household products.
- 2.152
- 2.16.A2
- 2.16.B2
- 2.172
- 3.13
The student examines the structure, function, and relationships of body systems and their relevance to personal health. The student is expected to name, locate, and describe the primary functions and major components of body systems, including the skeletal, muscular, circulatory, and respiratory systems.
- 3.2.A3
- 3.2.B3
- 3.2.C3
- 3.2.D3
The student understands health literacy, preventative health behaviors, and how to access and evaluate health care information to make informed decisions. The student is expected to: identify the importance of taking personal responsibility for developing and maintaining personal hygiene and health habits;
- 3.2.E3
The student understands health literacy, preventative health behaviors, and how to access and evaluate health care information to make informed decisions. The student is expected to: explain ways in which germs are transmitted, methods of preventing the spread of germs, and the importance of immunization;
- 3.2.F3
- 3.2.G3
The student understands health literacy, preventative health behaviors, and how to access and evaluate health care information to make informed decisions. The student is expected to: identify common vectors, including ticks and mosquitos, and explain how and when to perform a self-check for vectors.
- 3.3.A3
- 3.3.B3
- 3.3.C3
- 3.3.D3
- 3.3.E3
- 3.3.F3
- 3.3.G3
- 3.3.H3
- 3.4.A3
- 3.4.B3
- 3.5.A3
- 3.5.B3
- 3.5.C3
- 3.5.D3
- 3.5.E3
- 3.6.A3
- 3.6.B3
- 3.6.C3
- 3.6.D3
- 3.73
- 3.8.A3
- 3.8.B3
- 3.93
- 3.103
- 3.11.A3
- 3.11.B3
- 3.11.C3
- 3.12.A3
- 3.12.B3
- 3.12.C3
- 3.12.D3
- 3.12.E3
- 3.13.A3
- 3.13.B3
- 3.13.C3
- 3.14.A3
- 3.14.B3
The student understands the difference between the use and misuse of different substances and how the use and misuse of substances impacts health. The student is expected to: describe the harmful effects of alcohol, tobacco, other drugs, and dangerous substances, including inhalants, vaping products, and household products, on physical health.
- 3.153
The student identifies and analyzes the short- and long-term impacts of the use and misuse of alcohol; tobacco; drugs, including prescription drugs; and other substances. The student is expected to describe the harmful effects of alcohol, tobacco, other drugs, and dangerous substances such as inhalants and household products on mental and social health.
- 3.163
- 3.17.A3
- 3.17.B3
The student understands how various factors can influence decisions regarding substance use and the resources available for help. The student is expected to: describe the difference between reporting and tattling and why it is important to report the use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs by friends or peers.
- 3.183
- 4.14
The student examines the structure, function, and relationships of body systems and their relevance to personal health. The student is expected to name, locate, and describe the primary function and major components of the body systems, including the nervous, immune, digestive, and integumentary systems.
- 4.2.A4
- 4.2.B4
- 4.2.C4
- 4.2.D4
- 4.2.E4
- 4.2.F4
- 4.3.A4
- 4.3.B4
The student identifies and applies strategies to develop socio-emotional health, self-regulation, and healthy relationships. The student is expected to: describe the importance of identifying and reframing thoughts and applying calming and self-management strategies when dealing with strong emotions, including anger;
- 4.3.C4
- 4.3.D4
- 4.3.E4
- 4.3.F4
The student identifies and applies strategies to develop socio-emotional health, self-regulation, and healthy relationships. The student is expected to: explain the importance of demonstrating consideration when communicating with individuals who use diverse methods to communicate such as different languages or adaptive methods;
- 4.3.G4
- 4.3.H4
- 4.4.A4
- 4.4.B4
- 4.4.C4
- 4.5.A4
- 4.5.B4
- 4.5.C4
- 4.5.D4
- 4.5.E4
The student develops and uses appropriate skills to identify and manage conditions related to mental health and wellness. The student is expected to: identify self-harm behaviors that may present when someone is struggling to manage overwhelming emotions or lacks support and explain the importance of telling a parent or trusted adult if observed in self or others.
- 4.6.A4
- 4.6.B4
- 4.6.C4
- 4.6.D4
The student identifies and explains healthy eating strategies for enhancing and maintaining personal health throughout the lifespan. The student is expected to: identify the recommended guidelines for added sugar consumption and explain how excess sugar consumption can impact health, including causing dental cavities and obesity; and
- 4.6.E4
The student identifies and explains healthy eating strategies for enhancing and maintaining personal health throughout the lifespan. The student is expected to: identify healthy fast food choices such as ordering smaller serving sizes and substituting salads for fries and grilled foods for fried foods and their associated impacts on health.
- 4.74
- 4.8.A4
- 4.8.B4
- 4.9.A4
- 4.9.B4
- 4.104
- 4.114
- 4.12.A4
- 4.12.B4
- 4.12.C4
- 4.12.D4
- 4.13.A4
- 4.13.B4
- 4.13.C4
- 4.14.A4
- 4.14.B4
- 4.14.C4
- 4.14.D4
- 4.15.A4
- 4.15.B4
The student understands the difference between the use and misuse of different substances and how the use and misuse of substances impacts health. The student is expected to: identify the differences between prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, other drugs, and dangerous substances, including inhalants, vaping products, and household products.
- 4.16.A4
The student identifies and analyzes the short- and long-term impacts of use and misuse of alcohol; tobacco; drugs, including prescription drugs; and other substances. The student is expected to: describe the short- and long-term harmful effects of alcohol, tobacco, other drugs, and dangerous substances such as inhalants and household products on mental and social health; and
- 4.16.B4
The student identifies and analyzes the short- and long-term impacts of use and misuse of alcohol; tobacco; drugs, including prescription drugs; and other substances. The student is expected to: describe the legal consequences of the misuse of alcohol, tobacco, other drugs, and dangerous substances.
- 4.174
- 4.18.A4
- 4.18.B4
- 4.19.A4
- 4.19.B4
- 5.15
- 5.2.A5
- 5.2.B5
- 5.2.C5
- 5.2.D5
- 5.2.E5
- 5.2.F5
- 5.3.A5
- 5.3.B5
- 5.3.C5
- 5.3.D5
- 5.3.E5
- 5.3.F5
- 5.4.A5
- 5.4.B5
- 5.4.C5
- 5.5.A5
- 5.5.B5
- 5.6.A5
- 5.6.B5
- 5.6.C5
- 5.6.D5
The student develops and uses appropriate skills to identify and manage conditions related to mental health and wellness. The student is expected to: define eating disorders and disordered eating patterns as mental health concerns and the importance of seeking help from a parent or trusted adult for self or others if these patterns are observed;
- 5.6.E5
- 5.6.F5
The student develops and uses appropriate skills to identify and manage conditions related to mental health and wellness. The student is expected to: discuss healthy self-management alternatives to prevent harming oneself and the importance of telling a parent or trusted adult when someone is struggling to manage overwhelming emotions or lacks support.
- 5.7.A5
- 5.7.B5
- 5.7.C5
- 5.7.D5
- 5.85
- 5.9.A5
- 5.9.B5
- 5.10.A5
- 5.10.B5
- 5.115
- 5.12.A5
- 5.12.B5
- 5.12.C5
The student understands that individual actions and awareness can impact safety, community, and environment. The student is expected to: define safe haven and identify designated safe haven locations in the community; and (D) evaluate safety procedures that can be used in various situations, including violence in the home, school, and community.
- 5.13.A5
- 5.13.B5
- 5.13.C5
- 5.14.A5
- 5.14.B5
- 5.14.C5
- 5.14.D5
- 5.14.E5
- 5.15.A5
- 5.15.B5
- 5.15.C5
- 5.16.A5
The student identifies and analyzes the short- and long-term impacts of use and misuse of alcohol; tobacco; drugs, including prescription drugs; and other substances. The student is expected to: analyze the short- and long-term harmful effects of alcohol, tobacco, other drugs, and dangerous substances such as inhalants and household products on the functions of the body systems and mental and social health; and
- 5.16.B5
The student identifies and analyzes the short- and long-term impacts of use and misuse of alcohol; tobacco; drugs, including prescription drugs; and other substances. The student is expected to: analyze the short- and long-term harmful effects of alcohol, tobacco, other drugs, and dangerous substances and describe the legal consequences of their illegal use.
- 5.175
- 5.18.A5
- 5.18.B5
- 5.19.A5
- 5.19.B5
- 5.19.C5
- 5.20.A5
- 5.20.B5
- 6.16
- 6.2.A6
- 6.2.B6
- 6.2.C6
- 6.2.D6
- 6.2.E6
The student understands health literacy, preventative health behaviors, and how to access and evaluate health care information to make informed decisions. The student is expected to: explain the role of preventive health measures, immunizations, and treatment such as wellness exams and dental check-ups in disease prevention;
- 6.2.F6
- 6.2.G6
The student understands health literacy, preventative health behaviors, and how to access and evaluate health care information to make informed decisions. The student is expected to: describe and recognize the signs, symptoms, and treatments of vector-borne illnesses such as Lyme disease or West Nile Virus.
- 6.3.A6
- 6.3.B6
- 6.3.C6
- 6.3.D6
Mental health and wellness--social and emotional health. The student identifies and applies strategies to develop socio-emotional health, self-regulation, and healthy relationships. The student is expected to: describe methods for communicating important issues with and understanding perspectives of parents and peers;
- 6.3.E6
Mental health and wellness--social and emotional health. The student identifies and applies strategies to develop socio-emotional health, self-regulation, and healthy relationships. The student is expected to: discuss and demonstrate how to listen and respect others' feelings and perspectives in a variety of scenarios; and
- 6.3.F6
- 6.4.A6
- 6.4.B6
- 6.4.C6
The student develops the capacity for self-assessment and evaluation, goal setting, and decision making in order to develop a healthy self-concept. The student is expected to: create and discuss personal life goals that one wishes to achieve and consider the financial impact of graduating from high school, having a full-time job, and waiting until marriage if one plans to have children; and
- 6.4.D6
- 6.5.A6
- 6.5.B6
- 6.6.A6
- 6.6.B6
The student develops and uses appropriate skills to identify and manage conditions related to mental health and wellness. The student is expected to: identify and describe lifetime strategies for managing conditions that impact learning such as attention-deficit disorder (ADD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyslexia, dysgraphia, and sensory issues;
- 6.6.C6
- 6.6.D6
- 6.6.E6
The student develops and uses appropriate skills to identify and manage conditions related to mental health and wellness. The student is expected to: identify causes and effects associated with disordered eating and eating disorders such as bulimia, anorexia, and binge eating disorder and the importance of seeking help from a parent or another trusted adult for oneself or others related to disordered eating;
- 6.6.F6
The student develops and uses appropriate skills to identify and manage conditions related to mental health and wellness. The student is expected to: discuss the suicide risk and suicide protective factors identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the importance of telling a parent or another trusted adult if one observes the warning signs in self or others;
- 6.6.G6
The student develops and uses appropriate skills to identify and manage conditions related to mental health and wellness. The student is expected to: explain the role of a healthy self-concept in avoiding self-harming behaviors that can occur when someone is struggling to manage overwhelming emotions; and
- 6.6.H6
- 6.7.A6
- 6.7.B6
- 6.7.C6
- 6.7.D6
- 6.7.E6
The student analyzes and applies healthy eating strategies for enhancing and maintaining personal health throughout the lifespan. The student is expected to: evaluate the importance of choosing lower sodium alternatives to foods that have high levels of sodium such as salty snacks and canned vegetables.
- 6.8.A6
- 6.8.B6
- 6.9.A6
The student obtains, processes, and understands basic physical activity and nutrition information needed to make health-promoting decisions. The student is expected to: make a variety of healthy personal food choices and develop short- and long-term goals to achieve appropriate levels of physical activity and improve personal physical fitness levels; and
- 6.9.B6
The student obtains, processes, and understands basic physical activity and nutrition information needed to make health-promoting decisions. The student is expected to: explain the role of media and technology in influencing individual and community health related to physical activity and nutritional choices.
- 6.10.A6
- 6.10.B6
- 6.10.C6
- 6.10.D6
- 6.116
- 6.12.A6
- 6.12.B6
- 6.12.C6
- 6.12.D6
- 6.12.E6
- 6.13.A6
- 6.13.B6
- 6.13.C6
The student understands how to be a safe and responsible citizen in digital and online environments. The student is expected to: discuss and analyze consequences resulting from inappropriate digital and online communication such as social media posts, sending and receiving photos, sexting, and pornography;
- 6.13.D6
- 6.13.E6
- 6.13.F6
- 6.14.A6
- 6.14.B6
The student understands the impact of interpersonal violence and the importance of seeking guidance and help to maintain personal safety. The student is expected to: assess healthy and appropriate ways of responding to and discouraging bullying and cyberbullying, including behavior that takes place at school;
- 6.14.C6
- 6.14.D6
The student understands the impact of interpersonal violence and the importance of seeking guidance and help to maintain personal safety. The student is expected to: identify strategies for prevention and intervention of all forms of bullying and cyberbullying such as emotional, physical, social, and sexual; and
- 6.14.E6
- 6.15.A6
The student understands the difference between use and misuse of different substances and how the use and misuse of substances impacts health. The student is expected to: describe the misuse and abuse of prescription and over-the-counter drugs, including combining drugs, and the dangers associated with each;
- 6.15.B6
- 6.15.C6
- 6.15.D6
- 6.16.A6
The student identifies and analyzes the short- and long-term impacts of the use and misuse of alcohol; tobacco; drugs, including prescription drugs; and other substances. The student is expected to: describe the short- and long-term health consequences of prescription and over-the- counter drug misuse and substance use disorders; and
- 6.16.B6
The student identifies and analyzes the short- and long-term impacts of the use and misuse of alcohol; tobacco; drugs, including prescription drugs; and other substances. The student is expected to: discuss the legal consequences related to the use, misuse, and possession of drugs, including prescription drugs.
- 6.17.A6
The student recognizes and understands the options for treatment and how to seek help related to the use and misuse of alcohol; tobacco; drugs, including prescription drugs; and other substances. The student is expected to: identify ways to report a suspected abuse of drugs to a parent, school administrator, teacher, or another trusted adult;
- 6.17.B6
The student recognizes and understands the options for treatment and how to seek help related to the use and misuse of alcohol; tobacco; drugs, including prescription drugs; and other substances. The student is expected to: identify signs and symptoms of alcohol; tobacco; drugs, including prescription drugs; and other substance use and misuse such as using medicine prescribed for someone else or for reasons other than intended;
- 6.17.C6
The student recognizes and understands the options for treatment and how to seek help related to the use and misuse of alcohol; tobacco; drugs, including prescription drugs; and other substances. The student is expected to: identify examples of who, when, where, and how to get help related to unsafe situations regarding the use and misuse of alcohol; tobacco; drugs, including prescription drugs; and other substances.
- 6.18.A6
- 6.18.B6
- 6.18.C6
- 6.18.D6
The student understands how various factors can influence decisions regarding substance use and the resources available for help. The student is expected to: explain the relationships between alcohol, tobacco, drugs, and other substances and the role each can play in unsafe situations such as drinking and driving.
- 6.19.A6
The student analyzes information and applies critical-thinking skills to avoid substance use and misuse and recognizes the benefits of delayed use. The student is expected to: identify ways such as alternative activities and refusal skills to prevent or avoid the use of alcohol, tobacco, drugs, and other substances;
- 6.19.B6
- 6.19.C6
- 6.20.A6
- 6.20.B6
- 6.20.C6
- 6.20.D6
- 6.20.E6
- 6.20.F6