In 2021, SHAPE (the Society of Health and Physical Educators) formed a “National Health Education Standards Task Force” to begin their national standards revision process. Their standards serve as the foundation for school-based health education programs that support students’ health literacy around the country. SHAPE reports that, through examining their current standards (which have not been updated since 2007), reviewing various states’ and other countries’ health education standards, and feedback from partnerships, committees, researchers, and surveys, they have revised their National Standards, Rationale, and Performance Indicators for K-12 health education. Media Literacy Now has issued a letter to SHAPE, expressing our gratitude for the extensive and collaborative work they have undertaken in revising the national standards.

However, given recent research and calls for concern from the U.S. Surgeon General, the American Psychological Association, and the American Federation of Teachers, we are urging SHAPE to include media literacy education as part of health education, acknowledging the profound role digital media use plays in the lives and health of young people. 

Previously, Standard 2 referenced the need for students to “analyze the influence of family, peers, culture, media, technology, and other factors on health behaviors.” Specific references to “media” and “technology” were removed in this latest revision. Additionally, there is an opportunity to more deliberately include digital wellness practices in Standard 7 encouraging students to “demonstrate practices and behaviors to promote health and well-being.” We urge SHAPE to reinsert media literacy and digital wellness principles in health education guidance for teachers, as critical thinking around media has been shown to be an effective form of protection from the mindsets that lead to eating disorders, poor body image, low self-esteem, and depression.

Take Action: Provide Your Feedback

The final round of public review and comment is open from now until September 30. We invite you to take part in this round of public review and submit your feedback, calling specific attention to the lack of media literacy education inclusion in this latest draft.

How to Participate:

• Review the Draft Standards, Rationale, and Performance Indicators.
• Provide feedback and comments via SHAPE’s SurveyMonkey by September 30.

Question 3: Do you support the proposed Standard 7 performance indicators? – Select “I do not support or there is something missing in the proposed standard performance indicators as currently written.”
Question 4: Include the following (either copy/paste or use your own words) – “Considering the huge amount of time young people spend online and on screens, and the increasing documentation of the emotional and physical health and safety risks that are associated with such media use, I believe principles of digital wellness should be addressed in Standard 7.”
Question 13: Do you support the proposed Standard 2 performance indicators? – Select “I do not support or there is something missing in the proposed standard performance indicators as currently written.”
Question 14: Include the following (either copy/paste or use your own words) – “Media has such a tremendous influence on young people and can help shape positive and negative health behaviors. I believe it’s critical for health education standards to incorporate the role of media and the necessary media literacy skills young people need to learn to analyze its impact. Many other reputable health standards include media literacy.It’s crucial for Standard 2 to specifically refer to the influence of media to help health educators refer to and utilize appropriate media literacy educational resources.”
Question 21: Additional comments/feedback – In your own words, why is media literacy important?

Broaden Your Impact

We want to reach as many people as we can. Share this with parents, friends, and colleagues and if you’re on social media. Remember, the deadline is September 30.