This publication, offering support for the preservation and implementation of comprehensive school health education programs: (1) determines what comprehensive school health education should be; (2) describes the skills and knowledge that should be required of health educators; and (3) recommends methods for providing effective health education at the elementary and secondary school levels. The first two sections, on health, health education, and comprehensive school health education, offer definitions on the purposes, content, and status of health education. The following two sections investigate who teaches health education in the public schools, and their qualifications, characteristics, certification, and background. The fifth section, on the ideal state of health education, offers four recommendations concerning the preparation of all school personnel and of health educators. Strategies for enhancing teacher preparation, at the national, state, and local levels, are discussed in the sixth section. A list of 115 references is attached. Appendices include statements, from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the National Parent-Teacher Association, the Education Commission of the States, and the Association for the Advancement of Health Education, concerning comprehensive school health education and teacher certification for health education. (CJ)