Health B is pointless

[Anonymous]

Daughter just finished up the summer session of Health B at WJ, and learned absolutely nothing new. According to her, some assignments are near identical to the ones from Health A, and the content being taught is nearly exactly the same. Was hopeful she might learn something new, but honestly not surprised. Teacher was disappointed as well in the lack of new content in the curriculum. Waste of everyone's time to have a whole extra semester required that teaches absolutely nothing new.

[Anonymous]

That's unfortunate - seems like the whole exercise wasn't thought through with respect to what new topics needed to be taught. Now there is one less opportunity for an elective or some lost weeks of summer. At least financial literacy would have been new content!

[Anonymous]

Everyone seems to think it was an awful idea. I wonder if everyone writes the MCPS Board if we can get it reversed? Or is it a state requirement?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Everyone seems to think it was an awful idea. I wonder if everyone writes the MCPS Board if we can get it reversed? Or is it a state requirement?

State, although I’m surprised if they mandated it without specifying any content.

[Anonymous]

The MCPS site has a pretty detailed document covering Health B.

Unit 1: Investigating Socio-Ecological Factors on Well-Being
Unit 2: Managing Personal and Community Wellness
Unit 3: Analyzing Socio-Cultural and Political Factors
Unit 4: Evaluating Risks of Substance Use and Misuse
Unit 5: Accessing Resources for Mental Health Support
Unit 6: Communicating to Support Healthy Outcomes
Unit 7: Advocating for Interpersonal Safety
Unit 8: Family Life & Human Sexuality
Unit 9: Decision Making to Support Health
Unit 10: Advocacy for Enhanced Nutrition, Food Systems and Health Outcomes


https://docs.google.com/document/d/10JbDSeR1Go28zKsAIRXkMfbATilc9goRJJW0JvP7Jrg/edit

[Anonymous]

It's also the same stuff they did in MS but with slightly more details. Health A was a joke. It was all self-taught, the classes online always got out early and very little teacher interaction. It went into more detail than MS but no new materials.

[Anonymous]

Health is not an interesting class, it just a requirement like PE and foundations of computer programming.

[Anonymous]

Yes, DC just finished it at another school. Also said nothing new other than learning MD has a weird law re: the age of consent. Felt it was a waste of time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Daughter just finished up the summer session of Health B at WJ, and learned absolutely nothing new. According to her, some assignments are near identical to the ones from Health A, and the content being taught is nearly exactly the same. Was hopeful she might learn something new, but honestly not surprised. Teacher was disappointed as well in the lack of new content in the curriculum. Waste of everyone's time to have a whole extra semester required that teaches absolutely nothing new.

Completely agree! Nothing new. I don't know why Maryland is requiring it... addition mental health content? additional content on opioids? It needs to go away.

[Anonymous]

My child graduated before it was a requirement, but all the parents of younger kids I know are complaining about that second health semester.

Sorry it's gotten even worse!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Daughter just finished up the summer session of Health B at WJ, and learned absolutely nothing new. According to her, some assignments are near identical to the ones from Health A, and the content being taught is nearly exactly the same. Was hopeful she might learn something new, but honestly not surprised. Teacher was disappointed as well in the lack of new content in the curriculum. Waste of everyone's time to have a whole extra semester required that teaches absolutely nothing new.

Completely agree! Nothing new. I don't know why Maryland is requiring it... addition mental health content? additional content on opioids? It needs to go away.

My understanding is it was supposed to be a way of reinforcing and going in more detail on content at a point when it is most relevant for kids during HS and teenage years. But if they were going to require it one would think they would have considered how best to explore the topics in detail with kids.

I wonder if it’s better during the actual school year.

[Anonymous]

OP, I am sorry your DD had to devote the time equivalent to a semester to it, over the summer. This new requirement makes me sincerely dislike the state Board of Ed.

Fingers crossed that the online version is ready soon.

[Anonymous]

Well it would be great if the health classes actually educated the kids about things like vaping nicotine, substance abuse, and personal safety. At least the kids would be able to make informed decisions when they making stupid choices.

[Anonymous]

We complain about everything MCPS does...were you expecting Health B to be the one thing that meets with DCUM approval??

My kid took MCPS Health about 5 (+) years ago. They covered hospice care and organ transplant. I actually thought that was pretty good rather than don't smoke, don't do drug...over and over. No idea if that is still in the class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well it would be great if the health classes actually educated the kids about things like vaping nicotine, substance abuse, and personal safety. At least the kids would be able to make informed decisions when they making stupid choices.

Health A did cover those things.