School Health Advisory Council (SHAC)

What is the School Health Advisory Council?

In Texas, the School Health Advisory Council or SHAC is the committee that the board of trustees of each school district must appoint to assist the district in ensuring that local community values are reflected in the district's health education instruction.

The board of trustees must appoint at least five members to the SHAC.  The majority of the SHAC must consist of parents of students enrolled in the district who are not also district employees. One of the parent members must serve as chair or co-chair of the council.  The board of trustees may also appoint one or more persons from various community groups, including:

• classroom teachers
• certified school counselors
• administrators
• students
• health care professionals licensed or certified to practice in enforcement
• senior citizens
• the clergy
• nonprofit health organizations
• local domestic violence programs.

The SHAC is required to meet at least four times a year.

What does the SHAC do?

The SHAC is responsible for making policy recommendations to the board on a wide variety of issues regarding student health in district programming and curriculum, including:

• the number of hours of instruction to be provided in health education.
• appropriate policies, procedures, strategies, and curriculum to prevent physical and mental health concerns, including:
  • obesity
  • Type 2 diabetes
  • suicide
• strategies for integrating health curriculum components in a coordinated school health program for the district
• if feasible, joint use agreements or strategies for collaboration between the school district and community organizations or agencies
• strategies to increase parental awareness regarding risky student behaviors and early warning signs of suicide risks and behavioral health concerns, including mental health disorders and substance use disorders

Notably, the SHAC is also responsible for making recommendations to the board regarding appropriate grade levels and methods of instruction for human sexuality instruction and for instruction on child abuse, family violence, dating violence, and sex trafficking.

The SHAC addresses all factors of the District's Coordinated School Health Program (CSHP) including:

• Family and community involvement
• Nutrition services
• Physical education
• Health education
• Counseling, psychological & social services
• Health services
• Health promotion for school staff

For more information, view the School Health Advisory Council: A Guide for Texas School Districts