About The NCSHTC

Our Mission

The North Carolina Comprehensive School Health Training Center is committed to strengthening the quality of Health Education within a coordinated school health program. The Training Center provides programs throughout the state for teachers, nurses, counselors, nutritionists, administrators, and public health educators to reduce health-risk behaviors in children and adolescents.

The Need

Parents, teachers, and school administrators are deeply concerned about the serious health risks for today's youth. Adolescents are at increased risk from poor nutrition, substance abuse, involvement in violent acts, lack of fitness, injuries, HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases, unintended pregnancy, and suicide. Many communities are questioning what can be done to protect the health and future well-being of young people.

Comprehensive Health Education

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and many other agencies affirm that health education can promote healthy behavior among students and improve school achievement if the approach is comprehensive. CDC's recommendations include:

• a planned, sequential program of health education
• a curriculum which addresses health issues at developmentally appropriate ages
• instructional activities that are skills-based to address serious problems
• adequate time allotted at each grade level for health instruction
• coordination of health education within the total school health program
• instruction from teachers trained in health education
• community and parental involvement
• periodic evaluation, updating, and improvement

Reich College of Education/ASU's Commitment to NC's Schools

Appalachian State University and the Reich College of Education are dedicated to excellence in the preparation of teachers and leaders in education and health education. Reich College of Education faculty and administration are fully committed to providing service to the public schools of North Carolina. Housing the North Carolina School Health Training Center is one of the many professional service activities undertaken by the College.