Program Evaluation of a District’s Elementary School Wellness Curriculum to Improve Undergraduate Training
This doctoral research project examined elementary teachers’ preparation to teach health content (Emotional, Relationships, Growth and Development, Nutrition, Physical Activity, Hygiene, Safety, Substance Use/Misuse, Diseases, Environmental/Consumer/Community Health) within the framework for a state’s certification and qualifications. The study used a mixed-methods approach in a Midwest school district to discover components of undergraduate certifications, current teaching methods, and potential modifications to the curriculum. While all surveyed elementary teachers were licensed to teach the health content, many were not formally qualified to teach the material due to content gaps in their teacher preparation programs. The study concluded that undergraduate institutions preparing teachers for educator licensure need more in-depth qualifying training for pre-service teachers in the area of health for elementary education majors.
Elementary Health, Health Literacy, Health Education, Health Curriculum, Elementary Health Qualifications, Curriculum and Instruction, Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research, Educational Leadership, Elementary Education, Health and Physical Education
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