Senate approves resolution asking DOE to form K–12 health‑education working group after debate about outside groups

The Delaware Senate on April 14 passed Senate Concurrent Resolution 156, asking the Department of Education to convene a working group of health educators, state agencies and community partners to update K–12 comprehensive health education standards.

Sponsor Sen. Sarah Sturgeon said the resolution aims to use updated data and broader stakeholder input to improve health literacy, reduce risky behaviors and better align Delaware standards with national guidelines. "Research has shown that comprehensive health education improves student outcomes by increasing health literacy and informed decision making," Sturgeon said on the floor.

Opponents raised concerns that the resolution’s broad language could permit consultation with organizations some senators found controversial. Sen. Lawson said he was worried that, even with specific names removed from the draft, "they still could be part of this education program" and read aloud examples he associated with one advocacy group's positions; he concluded, "I will not be supporting this bill," citing the risk of outside groups influencing curriculum.

Sturgeon responded that the Department of Education would determine whom to consult and would not be required to adopt any group's recommendations. "They will consult with whatever organizations they choose, and they will ultimately choose what of their recommendations are included," she said, noting the process includes regulatory review and public input before any change is adopted.

Sabre Collins, education associate for physical education, health and wellness at DOE, told the Senate the standards had not been revised for roughly 24 years and that informal working groups had been used previously. Collins said the working‑group report would feed into the State Board of Education and the formal regulatory process (citing regulation 551), explaining that "the process would be to gather those folks... and then we would go to State Board of Education who would ultimately approve that."

Lisa Henry, chief of staff at DOE, clarified the sequencing: the working group’s report would be delivered under the resolution’s timeline and regulatory proceedings before the State Board would follow. "The report would go out, based on the report and the recommendations that Sabre talked about. We would start our regulatory process... but it wouldn't start the regulatory process... until after the report is done," she said.

Senators also questioned the resolution’s December 31 deadline because it comes after the November election. Jonathan Harding, majority caucus staff attorney, said the timing "could be better suited for before the election" but did not identify a legal bar to the existing date.

The roll call on SCR 156 was 15 yes, 4 no and 2 absent; the resolution received the required majority and was declared passed by the Senate. The resolution requests DOE form the working group, collect information on current health‑education programming and report back, but it does not itself change curriculum or regulation.

What happens next: DOE officials and the State Board of Education will determine the working group membership, convene stakeholder meetings and follow the regulatory process before any standards are adopted.