Why does Rhode Island state law require the Health Education Performance Assessment?
Research shows that children who are healthy learn more effectively, and that good health is a necessary precondition for optimal academic success. High quality health education increases the likelihood that young people will develop healthier lifestyle practices and resist engaging in risky health behaviors. RI s Health Assessment tells us if our health education initiative is giving our students the knowledge and skills necessary to improve and maintain their own well-being. Rhode Island is in the vanguard of assessing state health initiatives. Information Works reports only the 4th grade Health Assessment results this year because the Regents hadn t yet set standards for the grade 8 assessment. By the 1999 report, standards for both health assessments will be set. Some tests are moving To reduce the number of tests given at grades 4, 8 and 10, two writing assessments and the health assessments will move to other grades in 1998. Writing will be tested at 3 (instead of 4), 7 (instead
