Health Classes No Longer Texas Mandate

Texas high schools could get a little less healthy next year.

State education administrators made a decision to eliminate health as a mandatory course, though administrators for school districts statewide can choose to require the course on a local level.

Kayce Hall is an exercise coordinator at the University of Houston's Bounce Day Camp. Bounce is a program designed to teach middle school girls everything they'd learn in health class.

Hall says the state's decision to drop health as a mandatory course will have a negative impact on teenagers.

Her concern is about more than just fitness. Health classes often offer lessons in nutrition, sex education and drug abuse.

"Its crucial at that time in their lives, they need to know what going on in their bodies inside and out," said Hall.

Representatives for several Houston area school districts tell FOX 26 news it is too late to change current curriculum, so it looks like health class will be on the agenda for the 2009-10 school year, as previously scheduled.