Search the Site

September 2, 2025

Key Highlights

  • Massachusetts Recommends CATCH Programs: The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) includes CATCH Health Ed Journeys (HEJ) and PE Journeys (PEJ) in its 2024 CHPE Curriculum Guide, making Massachusetts the fourth state to recognize these programs, alongside Texas, Idaho, and Utah.
  • CATCH Expands Support Across Massachusetts: In response to growing interest, CATCH Global Foundation has deepened its work in Massachusetts by hosting in-person professional development, participating in state education conferences, and collaborating with districts like Boston and New Bedford to support successful implementation and ongoing evaluation.
“I honestly thought the training was amazing. I was very engaged and learned a lot of information that I can use immediately.”
-Boston Public Schools Educator who participated in CATCH Professional Development

Massachusetts is the fourth state to formally approve or recommend CATCH Health and Physical Education programs to its school districts, joining Texas, Idaho, and Utah. Recognition from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) emphasizes the state’s commitment and efforts to advance comprehensive, developmentally appropriate, skills-based health education.

As part of its released Comprehensive Health and Physical Education (CHPE) Curriculum Guide for 2024, DESE lists CATCH Health Ed Journeys (HEJ) and PE Journeys (PEJ) as approved programs.

New Bedford Public Schools led the charge by adopting HEJ before DESE had officially approved the program. Boston Public Schools, the state’s largest district, followed suit. Across both districts, school leaders are investing time and effort in supporting educators . Because of concerted efforts, both districts have created a supportive environment for health education and Pre-K–8 educators are widely embracing the CATCH HEJ curriculum.

CATCH Global Foundation shares this commitment to educator success. The CATCH team hosted their first in-person HEJ professional development session, attended the annual MA-PHERD Convention, and continues to develop customized professional development to meet the diverse needs of school districts. As an example, one session was specifically designed to support educators from varied backgrounds – many of whom are not certified health teachers – ensuring all educators feel confident and empowered to deliver meaningful health instruction.

Passionate educators from (left) New Bedford and (right) Boston Public schools come together for a day of learning, collaboration, and growth at a CATCH Health Ed Journeys professional development session.

Both Boston and New Bedford Public Schools have actively participated in program evaluations, including educator focus groups, to assess impact and inform continuous improvement. In the upcoming 2025–2026 school year, CATCH Global Foundation, in partnership with UTHealth Houston and Boston Public Schools’ Office of Health & Wellness, plans to conduct an evaluation of HEJ curriculum implementation. Final Institutional Review Board (IRB) approvals are anticipated in August 2025.
Currently, at least 164 schools across the state are using CATCH programs, signaling growing momentum for comprehensive health education.

CATCH Curriculum Strengths

Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education: Comprehensive Health and Physical Education Curriculum Guide for 2024 highlights strengths of the CATCH HEJ and PEJ programs, particularly in their classroom application and alignment with state standards. Here’s an overview of how CATCH meets those benchmarks:

  • Skills-Based: Curriculum provides students with numerous opportunities to build core health skills, including analyzing influences, accessing information, communication, decision making, goal setting, health promoting practices, and advocacy.
  • Assessment: Tools and strategies to support both formal and informal assessment of student learning and skill development.
  • Developmentally Appropriate & Accessible: Interactive tools and adaptable materials ensure the curriculum is inclusive of all learners, including students with disabilities and those with diverse needs.
  • Representation of Diverse Identities: Lessons reflect a wide range of student identities and lived experiences, helping students see themselves in the content while fostering understanding of others.
  • Flexible & Practical: Curriculum follows a clear progression of learning; however, teachers can complete units and lessons in any order based on specific needs. Each lesson can be taught in a single class session or broken into “bite-size pieces” of 5-10 minutes each.

Learn more about CATCH Health Ed Journeys, preview curriculum, or purchase.

en_USEN
es_MXES es_COES_CO swSW hi_INHI en_USEN